TREASURER SNUBS FREE TRAM RIDE

CONSTRUCTION DEADLINE LOOMS

CONSTRUCTION of the second stage of the light rail could start tomorrow at no cost to the public – but the State Government refuses to back it because it would make the Budget look bad.

Goldlinq has offered to fully fund the extension under a public-private partnership, but requires the State Government to put it in the Budget, even though there would be no initial public outlay.

The Government would have to underwrite Goldlinq’s investment and guarantee patronage of the system, which has already far exceeded passenger and reliability expectations in stage one.

Treasurer Curtis Pitt refused to answer questions about the budget for light rail yesterday, with his staff referring questions to Deputy

Premier and Transport Minister Jackie Trad.

Mr Pitt will bring down the State Budget in Brisbane on Tuesday, but avoided questions on whether light rail would be included, what im-

pact the private partnership could have on the Budget and what plans the Government has to provide a comparable economic and employment boost to the city before and beyond the Commonwealth Games if it does not back the light rail.

The state has repeatedly said it was waiting for a funding commitment from the Federal Government before it could commit to the extension, however there was no money allocated in the Federal Budget and the project must be started by next month if it is to be finished before 2018.

Ms Trad last month released a directions paper for the state’s infra- structure, saying in her ministerial foreword that “infrastructure investment underpins economic growth and generates jobs”.

The paper says the Government is dedicated to projects that deliver prosperity and livability, support growth and connect communities.

The first stage of the light rail system was started while Labor was in government under former premier Anna Bligh.