LNP wants Brisbane’s Cross River Rail route to be Elizabeth Line
Cameron Dick has labelled an LNP call to rename Brisbane’s Cross River Rail in honour of the Queen as ‘inappropriate’. VOTE IN THE POLL
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THE state government has shot down a proposal to rename Cross River Rail the “Elizabeth Line” in honour of her Majesty, with Treasurer Cameron Dick instead attacking the LNP over an alleged “data mining” exercise.
The Opposition has launched a petition, on a dedicated website, to collect support for its idea to rename Brisbane’s first underground rail line in honour of the Queen Elizabeth II.
But Mr Dick, shooting down the idea, also took aim at the LNP for not putting the petition on the state parliament’s dedicated petition page.
“The death of the sovereign should not be used as an opportunity by political organisations, like the LNP to gather data for a political database,” Mr Dick said.
“A funeral will be held for the late sovereign next Monday and during this time, I think it’s most inappropriate and disrespectful for the LNP to be engaging in this activity.
“They should be putting this issue aside until the appropriate period has passed.”
The website, www.elizabethline.com.au, is being funded by the Opposition, not the LNP as a party organisation.
Upon landing on the web page the address changes to a Typeform site, a survey service, with supporters asked to put in their full name, suburb, mobile number and email.
Other MPs, including Mr Dick in April 2020 during a bid to keep Virgin Australia in the state, have put petitions up in this manner.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the government had not turned its mind to what Cross River Rail will be known as once complete.
Queensland’s first underground rail project should be named the “Elizabeth Line” in honour of the former Queen, in a proposal dubbed a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” by the Opposition.
The state LNP will on Wednesday launch a petition for the 10.2km Cross River Rail route, once complete, to be named the Elizabeth Line.
In a striking coincidence, the late Queen opened a new underground tube in London in May this year dubbed the Elizabeth Line in honour of her 70 years of service.
The project had previously been called “Crossrail” and had a notably similar logo to Cross River Rail.
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said renaming the rail line, which goes from Exhibition Station to Dutton Park Station, would be a “fitting honour” to mark Queen Elizabeth’s record-breaking 70-year reign.
The names of the stations would not change.
“Renaming Cross River Rail to the Elizabeth Line is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Queensland to forever honour her life and legacy,” he said.
“Her Majesty’s 70-year reign was defined by her dedication to duty and service and this plan would see her name continue to service our state.
“Queenslanders have shown great respect for the Queen and I am sure they will get on-board and sign the petition so we can make this happen.”
Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie, a staunch monarchist, signalled the ceremony would be a “fantastic opportunity” for the Royal family to travel to Queensland and officially open the project, which is due to be completed in 2025.
“Her Majesty toured Queensland in 1954, 1963, 1970, 1977, 1988, 2002 and in the aftermath of the 2011 Brisbane floods, where tens of thousands of Queenslanders turned out to see her cruise down the Brisbane River,” he said.
“This plan would respectfully honour her Majesty.”
It is unknown if the state government is planning any new monuments to honour Queen Elizabeth.
The next tranche of major track and station upgrades for Cross River Rail is set to take place from the Queen’s Birthday long weekend and into October 9.
The “complex construction works” will cause trains to operate to special timetables and commuters are advised to plan ahead.
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