Rail funding plan hits the buffers

THE State Government has torn up an agreement with the Commonwealth over the Cross River Rail plan for Brisbane as the funding brawl escalates.

Infrastructure Minister Jackie Trad accused the Federal Government of failing to make good on its promise to contribute $10 million and moved to terminate a memorandum of understanding.

It comes just months after the Commonwealth was kicked off the CRR board by the state after the Palaszczuk Government announced it would go it alone and fully fund the $5.4 billion rail tunnel project.

“We are drawing a line in the sand,” Ms Trad said, accusing the Federal Government of attempting to force asset sales in order to receive funding.

Federal Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher hit back, accusing Ms Trad of engaging in a “transparent political stunt” and “positioning for the … state election”.