Dear all,

The Bill introduced this week to the Upper House by Minister Farraway:
1. Gives preferential treatment to two forms of transport i.e. road and cycling
2. Does not make clear what the government’s (and minister’s) approach will be towards rail transport even for recreational and tourism purposes (in fact the bill seems to discriminate against rail transport in non-metropolitan areas)
3. Will negatively impact on private and community-oriented rail initiatives e.g. tourist trains or freight
4. Does not make clear the government’s attitude/approach to passenger rail in non-metropolitan areas on unused rail lines (in fact the net effect is to discourage even the study of such possibilities by way of feasibility studies and business cases)
Above points can be used in any legal action as well because a Transport Amendment Bill cannot discriminate one form of transport over others or it should make clear why the government is prioritising some forms over others for the foreseeable future.