"Really significant project that the Australian government is very proud to be delivering for the Australian people."
That's how Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Catherine King described the Inland Rail project just last year.
Less than a year later, the Labor Government has slashed the Inland Rail project – robbing our regions to pay for their financial mismanagement in the city.
NSW Nationals Leader and Shadow Minister for Regional NSW Gurmesh Singh said both the Minns and Albanese Governments lack any sort of vision for our regions.
"To further cut supply chains during not only a drought, but a fuel and fertiliser shortage crisis is total mismanagement," Mr Singh said.
"The Inland Rail project was far more than just a freight corridor; it was a driver of investment and jobs across regional NSW. A window of opportunity that has been slammed shut by the Labor Government."
NSW Nationals Deputy Leader and Shadow Minister for Western NSW, Kevin Anderson, said the decision to abandon this project is a disaster for regional and Western NSW.
"Federal Labor are robbing our regions, particularly Western NSW, to pay Victoria, because the Minns Labor Government doesn't have a long-term plan for infrastructure in NSW," Mr Anderson said.
Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Paul Toole, said Federal and State Labor have a track record of stripping projects that futureproof regional NSW.
"If it's not jobs or infrastructure for Sydney, Newcastle or Wollongong, Labor don't care," Mr Toole said.
Nationals Member for Northern Tablelands, Brendan Moylan, said the decision by Labor to effectively abandon the northern extension of Inland Rail is a devastating blow to Moree and the wider North West of NSW.
"This is a project that was meant to transform freight efficiency, unlock investment, and support agricultural producers, yet Mr Albanese and his Labor mates have now walked away from delivering it in full," Mr Moylan said.
"This will add to the growing uncertainty around the Moree Special Activation Precinct, which was also sold to the community on the promise of jobs, connectivity and long-term regional growth."
