NSW: Opposition accuses Knowles of silence over Menangle
SYDNEY, April 10 AAP - The NSW Opposition today accused Infrastructure and PlanningMinister Craig Knowles of being missing in action since the Menangle Bridge scandal wasuncovered.
Opposition spokeswoman on infrastructure and planning Peta Seaton said Carr governmentministers were more concerned with covering for each other than rescuing crumbling infrastructure.
"The Menangle Bridge cover-up is the epitome of the Carr government's negligent disregardof essential economic infrastructure," Ms Seaton said.
"Craig Knowles has failed his first test.
"Rather than proposing solutions to the infrastructure crisis, he has fallen in behindmates (former transport minister) Carl Scully and (Transport Services Minister) MichaelCosta to keep the problems under wraps."
She said Pacific National, which carts at least 80 per cent of Australia's rail freight,had been losing up to $2 million a week since the 140-year-old bridge was closed on March27.
The bridge had been declared unfit for use by Wollongong University engineer Michael West.
Yesterday, the company said it would look to recover its losses by withholding someof the $175 million in access charges it pays each year to the Rail Infrastructure Corporation(RIC).
"Taxpayers will likely foot a huge legal bill if Pacific National takes the governmentto court," Ms Seaton said.
AAP jph/hn/cjh/bwl
KEYWORD: RAIL SEATON
No comments:
Post a Comment