Warring parties leave Tasmanian rail future uncertain

<p>Tasmanian intermodal freight customers remain in the dark about the long-term future of the state’s Pacific National rail services after the rail operator’s warring shareholders failed to discuss the matter during this week’s board meeting.</p> <p>The Pacific National board meeting on Tuesday (December 13) disintegrated into a raft of accusations and counter accusations being traded between Toll Holdings and Patrick Corporation and meant the Federal Government’s proposed $78m rescue package for Tasmanian rail freight, did not come up for discussion.</p> <p>The discord between Toll and Patrick suggests a decision on the issue is unlikely before early next year.</p> <p>The Federal and Tasmanian governments are also at odds &#8211 in this case over the funding arrangements for the rail rescue package.</p> <p>Tasmanian infrastructure minister Bryan Green claimed the package "dudded" Tasmania by removing federal money promised for important road projects and giving it to rail.</p> <p>But federal transport minister Warren Truss has hit back at Mr Green’s claims saying they were "dishonest".</p> <p>The Tasmanian Government wanted everyone else to fix the state’s rail system but was not prepared to take any risk or responsibility itself, Mr Truss said.</p> <p>The Federal Government was offering nearly double what was being asked of the State Government, he said.</p> <br />