Trad avoids talk of loans

THE State Government is dodging questions over whether its veto for a federal loan to Adani will be extended to Aurizon for a rival rail line plan.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce says Aurizon’s proposal should be seriously considered now Adani has been blocked by the State Government from receiving a $ 1 billion concessional loan from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility for a rail line for its Carmichael coal mine.

Asked to clarify the Government’s position, Treasurer Jackie Trad instead attacked the Federal Government.

“The Federal Government’s Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility has not yet seen a single dollar go to a Queensland project,” she said in a statement.

Ms Trad last week confirmed the NAIF had written to the State Government asking for clarification about its position on Aurizon.

She said it would be the subject of Cabinet discussions.

Earlier this year, Aurizon announced its proposal for a cheaper Galilee rail line connecting to the existing Bowen Basin network as opposed to Adani’s plan for a stand- alone “greenfield railway” from the Galilee to Abbot Point.

Yesterday, a spokesman for Aurizon said it had submitted its application to NAIF in March and that discussions had continued with NAIF.

Meanwhile, Adani has wel- comed Federal and State government support but declined to comment on Aurizon’s plan.

“Adani Australia is not going to comment on other projects,” a spokesman said.

“However, we appreciate the support we received for our project by the Federal and State governments and in particular are encouraged by the ongoing level of commitment for the opening up of the Galilee Basin by the State and Federal governments.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk dropped a bombshell during the election campaign by announcing she would veto the loan from the NAIF to Adani to build a common- user rail line, first citing a conflict of interest, then claiming she was honouring an election pledge.