LABOR candidate Roy Reekie is backing calls for more daily train services on the Warrnambool-Geelong line despite no commitments from his party.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The South West Coast candidate is distancing himself from the ALP on the issue, yesterday releasing a personal statement on the matter.
He stressed his comments were personal and were not endorsed by the Labor party, although Mr Reekie said ALP state headquarters were happy for him to speak.
“What the Coalition has offered is a patch-up,” Mr Reekie said. “What we need is a long-term plan to upgrade rail infrastructure between Warrnambool and Geelong which has been neglected by the Napthine government for far too long.”
Mr Reekie’s comments follow a pledge by Premier Denis Napthine this week to establish a new return service along the Warrnambool line if the Coalition is re-elected.
The additional weekday service would depart Warrnambool at 7.40am and arrive in Melbourne just after 11am, with the return service departing the state capital at 3.45pm and terminating in the south-west just after 7pm.
Mr Reekie said he would commit to a two-term timeframe to upgrade the Warrnambool line and work to achieve bipartisan support for the connection.
He said the Coalition proposal was little different to the present timetable and gave regular train passengers little flexibility with travel arrangements.
“Denis Napthine can make all the pre-election promises he likes but what is needed is a proper plan that upgrades locos and infrastructure,” Mr Reekie said.
State Transport Minister Terry Mulder labelled Mr Reekie’s comments a “cop out” given his party had failed to back his words with a cash commitment.
“Labor’s silence about extra trains for south-west Victoria is deafening,” a spokesman for Mr Mulder said.
“(Mr Reekie) says that he’d need two terms to work on it. This is a cop out.”
A local government rally will be staged in Colac this morning to secure pledges from all parties with only one week until the state election.
Warrnambool mayor Michael Neoh said most parties, except Labor, had supported the rail service upgrade push.
“The government, Greens and most minor parties have supported the concept, now we are calling on Labor,” Cr Neoh said.
