ljj> A U S TRA L IA
PRIME MMI4STER Press Statement No. 521
June 1975
TRANSFER OF TASMANIAN GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS
TO AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT
( Joint statement by the Prime Minister the Honourable
E. G. Whitlam., Q. C. and the Pr~ mier of Tasmania,
the Honourable W. A. Neilson, M. H. A.)
The Prime Minister, Mr Whitlam. and the Tasmanian
Premier Mr Neilson announced today that they had signed a.
certificate required to bring into force the transfer of
the Tasmanian Railways to the Australian Government on
1 July 1975. " The transfer of the Tasmanian Railways represents
the first step in the achievement of a truly national
railway system", the Prime Minister and Premier said.
" In 1972 the Australian Government offered to accept
responsibility for State Railway systems which represent
a major problem to all State budgets. The agreement reached
on the transfer of the Tasmanian Railways will confer major
benefits to Tasmania", the Prime Minister and Premier said.
" Apart from the obvious benefits to the Tasmanian
budgetary situation the arrangements entered into also provide
for the Railway system to be rehabilitated. A program of
railway upgrading will be undertaken to ensure that the railways
play their proper role in providing efficient transport in
Tasmania." " The arrangements provide for Tasmania to receive
million this financial year as a first contribution in
consideration for land, minerals and other assets. An amount
of # 3.3 million is to be added to the " base" level of financial
assistance for future years. In addition, the State will be
relieved of capital debts standing against the railways, as
agreed between the Australian and Tasmanian Governments."
" The transfer of the Tasmanian railways will not only
benefit Tasmanians but Australia as a whole for it will enable
greater co-ordination of transport particularly sea and rail
and make more-economic use of Australia's transport resources." / 2
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The Prime Minister and Premier concluded by saying
that it was intended that the Regional office of ANR
in Tasmania will be located in Launceston, the major centre
of the State's railway operations.
CANBERRA. A. C. T.
( Photograph available)
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