Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe resigns as Queensland Rail report highlights years of train cancellations and no new drivers

TRANSPORT Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has resigned, as a damning report reveals commuters can expect ongoing train cancellations until at least the end of 2018.

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TRANSPORT Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has resigned in the wake of a damning report into southeast Queensland’s rail fail that found commuters can expect ongoing train cancellations until at least the end of 2018, with no new drivers out of the 200 promised fully trained.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk thanked Mr Hinchliffe for his service, announcing his resignation as she addressed the findings of the Strachan Report into the southeast Queensland rail fail.

He will remain leader of the house.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad will serve as acting Transport Minister with Treasurer Curtis Pitt to take over as acting Commonwealth Games Minister.

Ms Palaszczuk committed to implementing all 36 of Commissioner Phillip Strachan’s recommendations, naming Mr Strachan as QR’s new chairman.

“I want to thank Stirling for his work as Minister to manage the very challenging issues at Queensland Rail,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Ms Palaszczuk said Mr Hinchliffe resigned following Cabinet, telling her it had taken a toll on himself and his family.

She said she did not ask for his resignation.

Logan MP Linus Power is being touted as a possible replacement for Mr Hinchliffe in Cabinet.

Mr Power currently serves as senior government whip and is a member of Labor’s right faction, of which Mr Hinchliffe is a member.

Mr Hinchliffe has indicated he will recontest the next election.

Queensland Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has resigned in the wake of a damning report into southeast Queensland’s rail fail that found commuters can expect ongoing train cancellations until at least the end of 2018. Picture: Dan Peled

STATEMENT FROM MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES: THE HONOURABLE STIRLING HINCHLIFFE

Today I offered my resignation to the Premier as Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games.

Whilst this has been a tough personal decision, I believe it is in the best interests of the Palaszczuk Government.

The issues at Queensland Rail have been some of the most challenging and, at times, frustrating issues I have needed to manage as a Minister. I know that they have been a distraction for the Government’s core task of delivering jobs for Queenslanders.

Now that the Commission of Inquiry has concluded and the Government delivered its response, I believe that Queensland Rail and the Transport portfolio have the path prepared for a fresh start to get back to delivering for our passengers.

The findings of Mr Strachan demonstrate that no Minister or Government could have foreseen driver shortage issue due the Queensland Rail mismanagement. I’m pleased that following a rough slog we have been able to begin to turn this issue around and today marks a line in the sand on the matter.

I thank the Premier and the whole Cabinet for their support.

At the Premier’s request I shall remain Leader of the House and will be recontesting the next election to continue as the Member for Sandgate.