A review into alternative ownership structures for Queensland Rail’s (QR) passenger operation is being kept under wraps by Transport Minister
A review into alternative ownership structures for Queensland Rail’s (QR) passenger operation is being kept under wraps by Transport Minister Rachel Nolan, after she allegedly refused to answer Opposition questions in Parliament today.
Similar to the backlash experienced after the QR asset sale announcement, secrecy surrounding the recent Deloitte review has resulted in criticism from the Opposition.
Shadow Minister for Transport Fiona Simpson says Nolan either doesn’t know or doesn’t want to advise Parliament about the review.
“This review, with meetings happening today, involves the Government looking at options such as: Translink taking ownership of QR Passenger, leaving QR Passenger as a GOC [government owned corporation], a state authority owning QR passenger, or QT [Queensland Transport] taking over QR Passenger,” Simpson says.
“Why won’t the Transport Minister tell QR workers and the Queensland public about this proposed restructure?”
According to Simpson, the QR service is already riddled with turmoil, considering Translink has failed to sign new contracts with QR Passenger.
“You have to ask whether this looming restructure is being used as a threat during a dispute with QR Passenger about services and payments. Meanwhile, the travelling public and workers are being left in the dark,” she says.
ABC is awaiting comment from Nolan’s office as to whether the Deloitte review into QR’s Passenger Network will be made public.