Page 1444 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 6 May 2015
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That document also said very explicitly under the heading “Policy costings”:
The current revised total project cost estimate is $614 million. This cost estimate will continue to be refined as the project progresses through forward design. This figure includes feasibility, design, construction and vehicle purchase, including a light rail depot.
Our 2012 election light rail commitment was recognised by the Greens as beneficial to the future of Canberra and, as such, was a key part of the parliamentary agreement between ACT Labor and the ACT Greens. The agreement states there is a commitment to:
… progress a light rail network for Canberra by:
establishing a statutory independent authority to implement the light rail project and associated development in the corridor;
undertaking the necessary design studies, preparatory works, financing, procurement and tendering arrangements, with a target date for the laying of tracks for the first route commencing in 2016;
creating a Canberra wide light rail network master plan.
These commitments are being honoured. Canberra is on its way to having light rail construction underway in 2016. But in case Mr Coe is in any doubt about what the people of Canberra were told in 2012, I refer him to a report on ABC news on Friday, 21 September 2012, which said:
Labor says it will establish the ACT’s first large-scale private sector partnership to plan, finance and develop the project.
I also draw attention to what the Canberra Times reported in its report on Labor’s election commitment on 22 September 2012. Under the heading “Labor unveil plan for light rail line”, the then Assembly reporter, Mr Noel Towell, reported:
If the project goes ahead, it would be the first public-private partnership on an infrastructure project in the territory’s history. Yesterday’s announcement also means that both Labor and the ACT Greens will go to next month’s election with light rail as a central policy position.
It goes on:
The latest government costings on the scheme have put a price tag of $614 million on the Civic-Gungahlin line, and Labor has committed $30 million for design work.
It is very clear what the government’s commitments were.
I present the following papers:
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