‘WHERE’S BILLY’ SILENT ON TRAMS

MAYOR Tom Tate wants Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to cough up an extra $45 million for the third stage of the light rail by 9am today. Business and political leaders say the project is pivotal to major developments such as the Gold Coast Airport upgrade and easing traffic congestion, and the underfire federal leaders should end the funding impasse immediately.

The Coalition has refused to commit the extra $45 million. For the second day straight, Mr Shorten (pictured) declined to answer questions about the light rail. “Where’s Billy” is reluctant to be seen on the Coast. See if you can find him in today’s paper.

WOULD-BE Prime Minister Bill “Where’s Billy” Shorten has again declined to say if he will tip in the extra $45 million needed to build Stage 3 of the light rail.

For the second day straight, the Federal Opposition Leader did not respond to questions put to his office about ending the funding impasse to make the 6.4km Broadbeach to Burleigh link a reality.

The Labor leader, who has been criticised for failing to visit the Gold Coast during the official election campaign, has committed $112 million to the project, but is now under pressure from business leaders, the council and State Government to cough up the extra money.

The Coalition has refused to commit the extra $45 million, instead taking a swipe at the State Government.

“The Queensland Government is trying to distract from their failure to commit any funding to this important project,” a spokesman said on Monday night.

Frustrated Gold Coast tourism boss Paul Donovan demanded an end to the bickering and a commitment from both the Morrison Government and Shorten Opposition.

“We have seen the success of what the light rail has done here on the Gold Coast, especially during the busiest periods of the Commonwealth Games so it makes sense to extend it to Burleigh and beyond to the airport for God’s sake,” said Mr Donovan, the Destination Gold Coast chairman.

“Whoever is holding the purse strings needs to understand the importance of the Coast as a tourism destination and the need for greater transport links.”