The beginning of the end for the Perth Freight Link

The Perth Freight Link has hit another major hurdle with revelations in Senate Estimates hearings that the Turnbull Government may not fund the project at all, and that a final decision on that Commonwealth funding is still months away.

"Premier Barnett is proceeding as though Commonwealth funding of the project is guaranteed, and Tony Abbott would have him believe that was true.

"The situation has now clearly changed: the committee heard straightforward evidence that if a large range of conditions are not met, there won't be a dollar of Commonwealth funding available to build this unwanted freight highway," Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Senator for WA Scott Ludlam said today.

"The Department of Infrastructure confirmed that there are months of submissions and assessments to undertake before this project will see a dollar from the Commonwealth.

"Surely Premier Barnett can not award the construction tender, because he no longer knows where the funding is coming from."

"Time is running out for Mr Barnett to make a graceful exit and roll the funding submission into an Outer Harbour assessment. This is one of the few remaining opportunities for him to save the day. He should take it," Senator Ludlam concluded.

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Senator Ludlam created a film about the Beeliar wetlands which can be viewed here:
http://fight-the-freight-link.scottludlam.org.au

Video of the senate estimates committee session is here:
http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/content/video/estimates-perth-freig...