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- 14 May 2004
Casino to Murwillumbah Rail Line
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Page: 9097
Mr THOMAS GEORGE (Lismore) [12.00 p.m.]: As this is the last sitting day before the cessation of the Casino to Murwillumbah rail service, I mark the historic occasion of the rail line's last train service on Sunday 17 May 2004 by informing the House that this is a sad day for the people of my electorate. I record my appreciation of the efforts made by the Northern Rivers community, particularly young people, to have the decision reversed. I acknowledge the presence in the public gallery of school captains from my electorate, who have participated in the campaign. The train service has been catering to the needs of students, elderly citizens and disabled people. Political representatives of all persuasions joined in the campaign to keep the rail line open, and in that context I acknowledge the presence in the Chamber of the honourable member for Ballina, Mr Don Page.
Others who lent their total support include the Leader of The Nationals, Andrew Stoner; the Leader of the Opposition, John Brogden; the shadow Minister for Transport Services, Mr Michael Gallacher; the Hon. Melinda Pavey and the Hon. Catherine Cusack of the Legislative Council; my Federal Coalition colleagues from the north of the State, Larry Anthony and Ian Causley; and the mayors of the local government areas in my electorate—Merv King, Charlie Cox, Warren Polglase, Jan Barham, Phil Silver; and Ernie Bennett, the President of the Northern Rivers Regional Organisation of Councils [NOROC]. Irrespective of the side of the political fence those representatives are on, they joined with the community in attempts to retain the rail service.
Sydney media outlets also lent tremendous support for the retention of the line, for which I thank them. In my electorate the Northern Star yesterday continued its comprehensive coverage of the issues with an article under the headline, "These people have failed us and don't deserve our support". As the honourable member for Ballina has said, the Premier and his Cabinet are train robbers, having robbed the people of my electorate of their train. The people will not forget that. Murwillumbah's Daily News and Grafton's Daily Examiner have been very supportive of the campaign, as have the Northern Rivers Echo in Lismore, the Richmond River Express, Neil Marks of Radio 2LM, the ABC, NBN, Prime and Richmond Valley Radio, whose journalists travelled on the train as part of the station's coverage, accompanied by Russell Eldridge, Editor of the Northern Star; even Noelene Daley of Daleys Homeware Lismore supported us by providing the caps. The community feeling about the loss of this rail service is unprecedented during my term in this Parliament. Everyone has been firmly behind the campaign to retain the rail service. The Country Labor Northern Rivers secretary and Lismore councillor, Jenny Dowell, stated: "The announcement to cut the service has effectively meant that the Government has lied. We are all disgusted at this."
However, it is not over yet. The statistics that have been cited by the Minister for Transport Services to justify his decision are not the proper figures. The cessation of the CountryLink service between Casino and Murwillumbah on 17 May has caused an unprecedented level of concern and alarm in Northern Rivers communities. The history of rail service in the northern part of the State has come to an end, but the people of my electorate will continue to fight and draw attention to the economic and tourism importance of the line to development of the region, as well as the significant social benefits derived from the service by elderly and disabled passengers and young people. The rail service will never be fully replicated by a replacement bus service. There are environmental benefits associated with retention of the rail service.
The committee will continue its efforts to obtain future economic, social and environmental advantages from having the line connected to the Queensland rail system. In December 2003, the Minister for Transport Services, Mr Michael Costa, announced that the line would be kept open until December 2004, but seemingly five months after making that statement the Carr Labor Government cancelled the service. I assure the school captains from Bonalbo, Woodenbong, Kadina, Casino, Kyogle and Lismore high schools that they have contributed to a wonderful community effort that has been aimed at retention of the line, a fight that is not over yet. The community feels shattered by the closure of the rail service. The editor of the Northern Star, Mr Russell Eldridge, summed up the community's attitude when he wrote:
Mr Carr you are taking away our train, not your train. Please give us back the service.
[Time expired.]
Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Paul Lynch): Order! When he next has guests in the public gallery the honourable member for Lismore should ensure that they are made aware of the standing orders. As a member, he should know the standing orders, and what has just happened should not happen again.
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