John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

I will provide the senator with what information I have in relation to his question. I can indicate to the Senate that the government is aware that on 12 June, Asciano announced its decision to sell its rail operations in Tasmania. At this time, Pacific National has committed to continue to provide services to its customers as the sale process progresses. The Australian government is committed, of course, to increasing rail’s share of the national freight task, but decisions related to services on the Tasmanian intermodal network are matters for the state government, as the track owner, to determine.

As I understand it, it is certainly the intention of the federal government to have discussions with the Tasmanian government about our current and future funding commitments. Senator Bushby specifically asked me about advice in relation to the sale. I can say that the advice I have is the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government—who I am very ably representing in the chamber—