Pollies off track with light rail

DESPITE a golden ticket being handed to them, politicians continue to think of the light rail extension as the little engine that couldn’t.

Goldlinq has offered to fully fund the extension to link up with the heavy rail on the proviso the Queensland Government underwrite its investment.

Given the runaway success of the first stage of the trams which has surpassed all projections, Goldlinq will almost certainly make their money back and there will be no public outlay for this vital piece of infrastructure.

Yet the irrational fear of increasing the Budget deficit on paper, despite the fact this is money which will in all likelihood never have to be outlaid, is unnecessarily causing this train to be bound for nowhere.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s visit to the Gold Coast yesterday reaffirmed the Federal Government’s position that no money will be allocated unless assets are sold.

As the state Labor Government was elected largely on a platform against asset sales, this means the fastest route lies in the partnership with Goldlinq.

Politicians need to get on board immediately because if construction doesn’t start in the next month, it won’t be finished in time for the Commonwealth Games.

With benefits including reducing congestion on the M1, creating jobs, boosting the economy and stimulating businesses on the route it’s unfathomable why politicians aren’t fighting harder to get the project back on track.

Instead of baulking at imaginary roadblocks, politicians need to adopt an “I think I can” attitude towards the project as we embark on the downhill run towards the 2018 Games.