It’s a classical game of politics.
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Federal Wannon MP Dan Tehan suggests his government should be open to finding funds for traditional state responsibilities, namely big ticket rail infrastructure projects.
He later suggests, in the lead up to his government's budget, that he is hopeful cash might be available for a long-awaited improvement project on the Warrnambool line in partnership with the state government.
The state Labor government then races to promise $100 million to upgrade the Warrnambool train line in its budget, a week before the federal government releases its financial blueprint for the next 12 months.
The state says it expects $1.45 billion from the federal government for its regional rail revival package.
But Mr Tehan hits back and suggests the state should stop playing politics and commit to working with the federal government.
Then the federal budget is released and Mr Tehan says a pool of funds is available for train upgrades and the state government just needs to provide the plan and costings.
For Mr Tehan, the project is as good as over the line, providing the state supplies the details. But the state hits back, saying Canberra is not releasing enough funds, the project is under threat.
The federal government is furious.
Further investigations reveal the federal government money is unlikely to be available until 2019-20 at the earliest. The state is furious.
No matter which side of politics you sit on, the stoush is messy.
The state wants to take the credit. The feds want to take the credit. But long-suffering commuters shouldn’t be a victim of politics.
Regional travellers, especially those in south-west Victoria, have been neglected for decades by both sides of politics.
Our train service desperately needs an overhaul. Passenger services are slow, late and uncomfortable. It’s no surprise patronage is declining.
The state government this week revealed punctuality had improved to 60 per cent in April. That sure beats the 12 per cent in ?? but it was still the worst in the state.
The message for our elected representatives is clear. Stop the politics and get on with striking a deal that will see an improved service. They have a chance to create history. Such a deal would be looked back on as a watershed moment, something that would be recorded as a victory for commonsense and opposing politicians.
