Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) the Federal Government committed $38 million of Commonwealth funds to the Port Rail Shuttle project in Victoria,

(ii) the Port Rail Shuttle project would create a rail connection between the Port of Melbourne and three inland ports, reducing diesel use and pollution from Victorian containerised freight movements and removing up to 3 500 trucks from residential streets in Melbourne's west every day,

(iii) the Victorian Government has put this project on indefinite hold citing delays due to potential privatisation of the port, and

(iv) That the Port of Melbourne Authority, together with the Victorian Government, are well placed, and have the relevant expertise and independent advice, to progress the Port Rail Shuttle project without delay; and

(b) calls on the Government to urgently seek action from the Victorian Government to proceed with implementing the Port Rail Shuttle project, regardless of the status of the Port of Melbourne ownership or lease arrangements.