Keep Inland Rail momentum going, says Senator and MP

Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator Bridget McKenzie has joined with Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton to call on the federal Labor government to keep Inland Rail’s momentum moving along.

Ms McKenzie and Mr Coulton visited communities along the rail route between Narromine and Moree last week.

Their visit followed the release of the Schott review of Inland Rail.

Early in the review, its author Dr Kerry Schott AO described the Inland Rail as an important project, however, she published key findings relating to governance concerns surrounding the project.

While not taking issue with Dr Schott’s report, Ms McKenzie and Mr Coulton have called on the government to put politics aside and continue getting the project done.

“The Schott review was very clear – it’s critical for the nation,” Ms McKenzie said.

“We don’t want to see this project kicked in the long grass.

“Local businesses are geared up,” the Senator said, referencing businesses which have been part of delivering the project.

Speaking during her visit to Narrabri last week, Ms McKenzie said she had followed the Inland Rail project with ongoing interest.

“It was very important to us as a federal government,” she said.

“We don’t want to see this program slowed.

“The Schott review clarified some of the niggling issues.”

Last week’s visit also included the recently completed alignment between Narrabri and Moree.

Ms McKenzie and Mr Coulton continued their tour north to Moree as well as North Star and Croppa Creek.

Mr Coulton said he had extended an offer to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King to visit the Parkes electorate and see the importance of the project.

“I would encourage the minister to take up Mark’s offer,” Ms McKenzie said.

“For something as nation building as this, it’s time to put politics aside.”