Support for Federal Government plan to sell Australian National Railways

24/11/96

Transport Minister Eric Charlton said today he fully supported the Federal Government's plans to sell Australian National Railways.

Mr Charlton was commenting on the Federal Government's decision, announced today, to revitalise Australia's rail network.

Federal Transport Minister John Sharp said Australian National Railways would be sold, a single authority would be established to manage the interstate track network and private companies would run rail services in a $2 billion reform package.

Mr Charlton said he had been pressing the Federal Government to make this decision for some time.

"By their decision the Federal Government have ensured the long-term viability of a national rail network in Australia," he said.

"This was the only logical decision that could be taken to ensure that major change could be implemented to the network.

"As far as the Indian Pacific is concerned it is one of the great railway journeys of the world and it is an indictment of the previous Federal Labor Government that they allowed it to get into the position where it could not be saved."

"There is now a great opportunity for an efficient operator to take advantage of this great passenger train linking the Indian and Pacific oceans.

"I also fully support the Federal Government's withdrawal from its shareholding in the National Rail Corporation as it would never ever reach the efficiencies necessary to maximise the use of rail while being part of the current Federal setup."

"This decision by the Federal Government to withdraw demonstrates the significant decision made by the Western Australian Government in 1993 to refuse to be a shareholder. That decision has now been vindicated."

"We look forward to the process involved in the Federal Government's latest policy decision. However, we will ensure that when it comes to the ownership and management of the railway line and its associated infrastructure, we will guarantee the independence of the WA component."

Mr Charlton said he had announced earlier this year that a $250 million upgrade of the standard and narrow gauge lines in this State.

"We would not want to see this eroded by any national rail infrastructure corporation," he said.

Media contact: Sally Squires 321 7333