Stop the Transport Point Scoring

The Federal Government wants to build a rail link between Epping and Parramatta.  The State Liberal Party wants to build a rail link to the North West suburbs of Sydney.

The two parties are now arguing over funding, with the Liberals wanting Labor to divert funding from the Epping-Parramatta project to the North West project instead.

But in the meantime, Sydney’s long-suffering commuters are sick of the grandstanding.  They just want to see action.

That’s why it’s time to end to pig-headed political point-scoring over the relative merits of important transport infrastructure projects in Sydney.

The construction of the Parramatta to Epping link and the North West Rail Link are both essential to addressing the chronic transport congestion problems plaguing the city.

Commuters in Parramatta are just as important as commuters in Rouse Hill.  Equally, it shouldn’t matter whether commuters live in Labor seats or Liberal seats – they all deserve to have access to frequent, reliable and safe transport services.

The debate over moving funding from one worthwhile to another worthwhile project in Western Sydney is unedifying and reflects badly on both sides of politics.

Instead of playing communities off against it each other, what we really need to see is a clear vision for the future, and genuine investment in the transport infrastructure Sydney needs for the 21st century.

This means building the three most critical transport projects as a matter of urgency – the north west and south west rail links, and the Epping to Parramatta link.

Construction of both projects could be funded if governments were prepared to use innovative funding models and overcame their irrational fear of debt.

There is over $1 trillion sitting in Australian superannuation funds – we need to unlock some of this money to finance important infrastructure projects

At the same time, the NSW State Government is sitting on a AAA credit rating that entitles it to cheap credit, but is not being used.

Credit ratings should not be used as trophies, they should be put to use to fund infrastructure projects.

Sydney does not need to make a choice between the Epping to Parramatta link or the North West Rail Link. Both are needed, and both should be built as a matter of urgency.

Bob Nanva is National Organiser for the Rail, Tram and Bus Union.