Alistair Coe on the wrong track

The role of an Opposition is to hold an elected government to account for actions and to propose alternate policies, basically to offer an alternative to the government of the day. Alistair Coe is a very intelligent and hard working MLA, so it is difficult to understand his latest press release opposing the Capital Metro project.

GOVERNMENT IRRESPONSIBLE ABOUT LIGHT RAIL

The document which the ACT Government is using as the basis of their decision to build light rail does not provide the substance required to justify the project, said ACT Shadow Minister for Transport, Alistair Coe.

“The Government’s decision making process for light rail has been irresponsible at best, negligent at worst,” said Mr Coe.

“The Government claims to have based its decision to construct light rail on a Concept Report produced last year.

“However, the Concept Report is very light on details and by no means comprehensive enough to justify spending ‘$700 - $860 million’ on light rail.

“The Government is treating the Concept Report as a ‘tick of approval’ for light rail.

“However, even the report’s assessment of light rail is ‘…there is no benefit or harm.’ (URS Australia, page 30)

“If the Government has based their decision to build light rail on this report, then taxpayers should be very concerned.

“The Government should release the scope of the report given to the authors and any other documents used to influence their decision to spend so much money on light rail,” concluded Mr Coe.

 
ACT Light Rail will now examine these statements, a line at a time.  

“The Government’s decision making process for light rail has been irresponsible at best, negligent at worst,” said Mr Coe.

The decision making process was incredibly slow. It took over a decade. The government has arrived at its decision after three failed public transport policies based on improving ACTION Buses so that patronage would reverse its decline. Admitting a need for modal change was a big policy shift.

“The Government claims to have based its decision to construct light rail on a Concept Report produced last year. 
 
The URS report was a concept report, but it was the last of several contemporary reports, including the PWC report into a Canberra wide light rail project. These reports all recommend light rail, as it enhances public transport patronage, reduces road congestion and will raise productivity in the ACT.

 “However, the Concept Report is very light on details and by no means comprehensive enough to justify spending ‘$700 - $860 million’ on light rail.

The concept report offered several alternatives for the corridor. An engineering study has been completed which the government has now based a budget on. A figure of 600 million, not the figure used in the press release.

“The Government is treating the Concept Report as a ‘tick of approval’ for light rail. 

It is not what the decision was based on. The decision was based on economic, social and political factors.  The ALP/Greens agreement to govern, is the approval required for the project to proceed.

“However, even the report’s assessment of light rail is ‘…there is no benefit or harm.’ (URS Australia, page 30)
“If the Government has based their decision to build light rail on this report, then taxpayers should be very concerned. 

The URS report also said that 'Light rail transit generates the best overall outcome for Canberra'. Taxpayers should be concerned at the Governments ability to deliver the project on budget and on time, as it has a demonstrably poor record in major project delivery. This is where the focus of the Opposition should lie.

“The Government should release the scope of the report given to the authors and any other documents used to influence their decision to spend so much money on light rail,” concluded Mr Coe.

We agree with Alistair on this point. These documents should be made public.

The role of Opposition is demanding and generally Alistair Coe does a very good job. Over the years the ALP Government has a poor record on public transport and major project management, so his concerns are justified. However, continually opposing the Capital Metro project on spurious grounds is not a sustainable strategy. The points in his press release are easily dismissed.

ACT Light Rail would ask the Canberra Liberals "What is your alternative public transport policy?"