Secretary’s wrap

The NSW Budget, handed down by former Transport Minister turned Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian this week, included a number of transport commitments.

While most were road related (including $2.9 billion for WestConnex alone), there were also some key public transport related line items including:

– $1.3 billion to maintain Sydney Trains’ assets including turnout renewals, re-signalling works, control systems updates and Tangara technology upgrades.

– $130 million for new intercity trains

– $100 million for the Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system

– $208 million for maintenance of Country Rail assets

Unfortunately there’s no indication as to the specific detail relating to many of the commitments, for example which transport assets the NSW Government has in its sights for privatisation…

You can click here to see a wrap of the Budget’s transport commitments.

But of course the big news of the moment is the Federal Election. With the election now just a week away, our candidates and political leaders are making their final pitches to voters.

At risk are our penalty rates, Medicare, workers’ rights – just to name a few key issues.

Many Loco Division members will be working on Saturday 2 July, so make sure you remember to vote early. Your vote could have a huge impact on the lives of working Australians, so make sure you exercise your right to vote and use your vote wisely.

Stay safe on the tracks.

Bob Hayden
Secretary, Loco Division