Only ALP can fix M1: Shorten

TRAMS, CASINOS, AND BILL THE SURFER

FEDERAL Opposition Leader Bill Shorten is telling Gold Coasters Labor will be the only party capable of providing stability to fix the M1 and hospital waiting lists.

In a wide-ranging interview with the Bulletin, Mr Shorten acknowledges the seat of Forde, in the city’s north, is critical for the Labor Party to win government.

And he reveals the ALP is reaching out further to the tourist strip, in the lead-up to the federal poll, including its announcement of funding for light rail stage three.

Mr Shorten promised he was “going to get the conversation back to the people”, which was the reason “in traditionally safe Liberal Party heartland we are talking about light rail”.

“I want people to think politics can work for them again. It is a little-known statistic that I have been in Queensland campaigning for 95 days since I became Opposition Leader (in 2013), not including the family trips I have done because I am a Queenslander-in-law,” he said.

Mr Shorten said he was a “major fan’’ of trams and also confirmed Labor’s commitment to Cross River Rail, the State Government’s major rail project in Brisbane that would result in a boost to rail services to the Gold Coast and help reduce congestion on the M1.

“We will contribute $800 million in grant funding straight plus help with progress payments over 25 years,” he said. “The Labor government I lead believes in public transport. Of course we want to do what we are doing with the M1, it’s crucial, but you have to give people the chance of catching a train or a tram as well.

“If you have a rail track there are only so many carriages you can put on the track in a given hour. It’s a bit like a runway. You can only land a certain number of planes in an hour.

“We need more train track. At least you get more people movements. It gives people a choice beyond just cars.”

While he was firm on Labor’s commitments on penalty rates and improving aged care, Mr Shorten said he would listen to residents for their opinions on controversial issues like the global tourism hub.

“In terms of a casino I will let you work on the process. I won’t be a wise man from the south saying X or Y is the outcome. You’ll have to work through that carefully,” he told the Bulletin.

Mr Shorten did not take up the opportunity to fire a verbal shot at retiring Moncrieff MP Steven Ciobo.

“Once you move on, you move on. I am not thinking about Steve Ciobo. Good luck to him,” he said.