MEMBER for Light Tony Piccolo has promised a “high-quality and affordable” rail service for local commuters if his Labor Party is successful at the next state election.
Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas pledged to reverse the State Government’s decision to privatise the state’s train and tram network, if his party wins the 2022 state election, at the Australian Labor Party state convention on Saturday.
The announcement came a day before Labor led a protest on the steps of Parliament House, calling for the government to change their decision to privatise the operations of the state’s public rail services, including the Gawler line.
The government confirmed in July it would release a tender to privatise the service.
Mr Piccolo said local rail commuters would be supportive of his party’s announcement.
“Local residents are concerned about cuts to train services, increases in fares and a reduction in security on trains, if the trains are privatised,” he said.
“The experience of privatised train services in Victoria has not been good, with their commuters the most dissatisfied users across the country.
“After the election, Steven Marshall broke his promise and announced plans to privatise Adelaide’s trains and trams.
“Returning trains and trams into public hands would ensure South Australian commuters can access a high-quality, affordable service and taxpayers would avoid paying significant subsidies to private operators to boost their profits.”
Labor’s plan would see it establish an Independent Commission of Inquiry, which would examine the privatisation contracts and recommend “efficient and cost-effective” ways to exit them as early as possible.
A private contract to operate the train and tram networks is likely to be awarded next year, meaning it would need to be broken well ahead of its expiration if Labor is successful at the polls in 2022.
Transport minister Stephan Knoll said Labor “ripping up” government contracts was a “dangerous” move.
“It’s dangerous and sends a chilling message to potential investors and could smash business confidence in South Australia,” he said.
“Where will Mr Malinauskas and Labor stop?
“Will they tear up water licences and mining agreements to score cheap political points at the expense of South Australians?”
Mr Knoll added Labor had a track record of privatising services when it was in power, such as the metropolitan bus network, the Motor Accident Commission and the Land Titles Office.
“Make no mistake, the South Australian Labor Party are the party of privatisation,” he said.
“The facts speak for themselves; Labor sold over $5 billion worth of assets and outsourced around $3 billion of public transport services and maintenance works.”
