CABINET I
FOR PRESS 2 FEBRUARY 1978
MAINLINE RAILWAY UPGRADING PROGRAMME
The Prime' Minister, Mr Fraser, announced today that action was
under way to implement the Government's policy undertaking
to fund a programmne for the upgrading of Australia's mainline
railways.
The Prime Minister said that he had written to the Premiers of
New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia
inviting them to join in a Commonwealth/ State programme for
upgrading their-Stite-ailways that are part of the national
railway network.
This assistance of about $ 70 million over 5 years, beginning
1978/ 79,. was foreshadowed in the supplementary statements to the
Policy Speech.
At a meeting of the Australian Transport Advisory Council
in December 1976 the Commonwealth asked the States to submit
proposals for financial assistance.
" The examination by the Government of the projects submitted
supports the view that there are critical areas in railways
operations where efficiency and the capacity of the railways
systems as a whole will be greatly enhanced by stratcgic
investment," Mr Fraser said.
There will shortly be discussions between the Commonwealth
Minister and State Transport Ministers on the'details of the offer.
MAINLINE RAILWAY UPGRADING PROGRAMME, 2 FEBRUARY 1978
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