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PRIME MIISTER
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE MION P 0 KEATING MP
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO REFURBISH THE INDIAN PACIFIC
The Federal Government has agreed to refurbish the Indian
Pacific passenger trin-at a cost of about $ 12 million.
This will allow the existing transcontinental service to
be marketed as a first class tourist attraction. The
refurbishment will occur at the Port Augusta wvorkshops
over the next two years, providing Significant employment
in that region.
We will also upgrade South Australia's Islington rail
workshops. at a cost of $ 4.4 million. Thie--Isilgt-o-n
workshops will be connected to the national Standard
gauge rail highway being created through the One Nation
package announced in February.
with the $ 3.5 million already being provided through One
Nation for the Port Augusta workshops, these South
Australian rail workshops will be well placed to compete
for NationalRail Corporation work.
These initiatives follow a number of measures for the
rail industry in South Australia which are being
implementeid through One Nation and other Federal
programs. These include redevelopment of rail land no
longer required by Australian National, and $ 8.4 million
f or labour adjustment and regional employment
initiatives. The Australian National Rail Commission has also been
asked to provide the Government with a detailed business
plan outlining an appropriate structure for AN in future.
This will provide for an orderly transition to its new
role with the establishment of the NatilonalRail
C~ orporain
The South Australian Government will be consulted on
those aspects of this plan which affect South Australia.
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In addition, the NSW Government has agreed to guarantee
AN access to the Broken Hill-Parkes line until September
1997 to allow the Indian Pacific continued use of that
routs after standardisation of the Melbourne-Adelaide
line. ADELAIDE 9 August 1992