Feds lining up to rip off Gold Coast on light rail, says Qld transport minister

ScoMo: ‘Keep thriving, see you soon’

THE Federal Government has been accused of “lining up to rip off the Gold Coast” and dumping plans to fund the light rail’s third stage.

Queensland’s Labor Transport Minister Mark Bailey made the claims after Prime Minister Scott Morrison gave his views on the proposed Broadbeach to Burleigh link. Mr Morrison yesterday refused to confirm the $112m in funding weeks after a budget leak revealed the money had already been allocated.

“Well leaks are rumours, that is all leaks are,” he said.

Documents leaked last month revealed the $660-million light rail stage 3A would receive federal funding under a $7.6-billion roads and infrastructure election plan developed by the Coalition while Malcolm Turnbull was still prime minister.

Mr Bailey blasted Mr Morrison for raising uncertainty about the project’s future.

“All we’ve seen so far on stage 3A for light rail is a dog’s breakfast from the LNP in Canberra and on the Gold Coast,” he said. “A leak from the divided and dysfunctional Morrison government revealed a low level of federal funding intended and even that has been denied.

“Considering the former federal Labor Government committed about $365 million for Stage 1, it’s disappointing and telling to hear SloMo only referencing the $95 million they committed for Stage 2.

“They are lining up to rip off the Coast again because they have three safe federal seats here and spend infrastructure funding in marginal seats.”

Stage 3A is expected to take three years to complete.

PRIME Minister Scott Morrison is promising he’ll soon visit the Gold Coast, a city he sees as becoming increasingly attractive for Australians who want to thrive.

Mr Morrison, who won the top job in an internal ballot after Malcolm Turnbull stood down in late August, told the Gold Coast Bulletin a Glitter Strip visit was a priority.

“It won’t be too long at all. Sadly it won’t be to see the Sharks playing the Titans until next year,” he said.

“That said, I will be there at some point, no doubt about that.”

Mr Morrison, who appointed four Gold Coast MPs to his ministries including former Canberra flatmate Stu Robert as Assistant Treasurer, said the city was primed to attract further investment after April’s Commonwealth Games.

“It is one of the fastestgrowing urban areas in the country, its economy is becoming more diversified and has a lot of opportunities for Australians to start businesses, buy a home and establish lives together,” he said.

“What we have got on the Gold Coast particularly after the Commonwealth Games – which were run well – is it really showcased the capacity of the city and provided an opportunity for ourselves as well to invest in important infrastructure, including the Gold Coast’s light rail.”

“This is making the city more liveable, more functional, more attractive, which will only attract further investment and further opportunities.”

Mr Morrison, a former national tourism boss, said the Gold Coast continued to drive solid growth in visitor numbers.

“The key is to make sure you do really well out of that – what you don’t want is profitless volume in the tourism industry,” he said.