Today marks five years since the Liberals promised Tasmanians they would pull out "all stops" to get light rail running to Hobart's northern suburbs within five years.
But instead of celebrating the official opening of the rail service they were promised, Hobart commuters are reeling from the unprecedented gridlock that gripped the city yesterday.
There were reports of people spending over five hours in traffic, vehicles running out of fuel, flights disrupted and workers missing shifts. In fact, even government itself ground to a halt as the Clarence Council meeting – at which councillors were set to determine the Kangaroo Bay issue – was cancelled.
The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Michael Ferguson, must today come clean about the status of the long-promised project.
What has happened to the $25 million provided by the Federal Government to kickstart the project?
Why hasn't Minister Ferguson announced the Government's planned mode of transport for the corridor, as he said he would last year in the City Deal Progress Report?
Do the Liberals even intend to proceed with the project, or is all the money being diverted to their stadium?
The Liberals have broken dozens of infrastructure and transport promises, including the underground bus mall, the new Tamar Bridge, the Southern Outlet fifth lane and a new ticketing system for public transport.
Frustrated Tasmanian commuters can now add the northern suburbs rail project to that long and growing list.
Josh Willie MLC
Shadow Minister for Transport
