Federal Liberal party fail to follow David Crisafulli’s Sunshine Coast rail line promise

Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli’s plan to get the Sunshine Coast rail line to Maroochydore by the 2032 Olympic Games has taken a major blow, with his federal counterpart not willing to make the same guarantee.

Queensland LNP leader David Crisafulli's election promise to get the Sunshine Coast rail line to Maroochydore wasn't matched by his federal colleague Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.

Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli’s plan to get the Sunshine Coast rail line to Maroochydore by the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games has taken a major blow, with his federal counterpart not willing to make the same guarantee.

Earlier this week Mr Crisafulli promised to get the Sunshine Coast Direct Rail Line from Beerwah all the way to Maroochydore by 2032 if the LNP was to win government at the state election in October.

In making his election promise, Mr Crisafulli referred back to a pledge he made in 2023 to match the federal government’s $1.6bn in funds to construct the rail line.

“Governments make commitments, and they stick to the timelines. If government changes in October, so will the political will when it comes to this project,” he said.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli was full steam ahead with the idea. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Crisafulli’s declaration came after Premier Steven Miles announced $2.75bn in funding to build the first stage of the line, which would see a 19km dual track built from Beerwah to Caloundra in time for the Olympics, subject to a matched funding agreement from the federal government.

The Sunshine Coast Daily asked Mr Dutton’s office if he would also commit to getting the rail line to Maroochydore by 2032 if the LNP was to win government at the next federal election.

The inquiry was offloaded to the office of Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Senator Bridget McKenzie.

In a statement, a spokesman for Senator McKenzie said the LNP had been a long-term supporter of the critical rail project, but fell short of committing to getting the line to the heart of the coast by the Olympics.

An artist's impression of the Sunshine Coast Direct Rail Line, which could cover 37km and feature seven stations. Picture: TMR.

“The LNP has been committed to funding the infrastructure the Olympic Games needed from the start, Labor has bungled the roll out by cutting funding to projects and delaying the build,” the spokesman said.

“The Coalition Government committed $1.6 billion for this project back in 2022 as part of our strong commitment to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“We wanted to make sure the games were accessible to and financially benefits all Queensland, not just the inner city.”

Senator Bridget McKenzie holds a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The vital infrastructure project is firmly under the microscope of local MPs, with Kawana MP Jarrod Bleijie launching a question on notice to Transport Minister Bart Mellish.

Mr Bleijie asked if Mr Mellish would release the full business case for the Sunshine Coast Direct Rail Line in the interest of openness and transparency and if not, why not?

A response to the question is due by Thursday, April 4.

The proposed 37km heavy rail line is expected to shave 45 minutes of travel time between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane, if completed.