LNP leader David Crisafulli backs light rail despite MP Michael Hart’s comments
A Gold Coast figure has come out strongly against delays to extending the light rail despite claims that public transport would be “obsolete in five to 10 years”. JOIN THE CONVERSATION
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LNP Leader David Crisafulli vows anything preventing light rail’s next stages is “just wrong”, forcing his Burleigh teammate Michael Hart to reject they’re on a collision course.
The Broadwater MP has declared he won’t take part in any talks which stop the next phase of the $709m project. His vow comes less than a week after a Bulletin report revealed the state government was yet to sign a contract with the firm selected to build it.
His comments also follow widespread backlash towards Burleigh LNP Michael Hart, who told a Bulletin reporter he believed public transport would be obsolete “in five to 10 years”.
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Mr Crisafulli said on Tuesday: “Anything that diverts us from the goal of delivering light rail in a timely, affordable and socially respectful manner is wrong.
“I’ll always be part of a discussion of other opportunities but we have to deliver light rail for the Gold Coast.
“It’s got to be done to a strong budget, in a corridor that treats people with respect and it’s got to be done (with timeliness).
“I don’t intend to be part of any discussion that stops that from occurring. Light rail has to be delivered and it has to be delivered affordably, quickly and while taking the community on the journey.”
Mr Hart said in an interview earlier this month he believed light rail should head west from Burleigh, and said he “can’t see it working” down the Gold Coast Highway south.
Asked to comment on Mr Crisafulli’s stance on Tuesday, Mr Hart maintained he and the party leader were “on the same page” but said transparent community consultation may take time.
“This government will never do anything quickly anyway and seems incapable of building infrastructure to budget,” he said.
“I accept there are differing views in my community concerning modes of transport but everybody I speak to agrees building light rail down the Gold Coast Highway through Palm Beach would be detrimental to my community.”
Their comments have drawn scorn from Transport Minister Mark Bailey, who said: “It’s the Michael Hart tail wagging the David Crisafulli dog on the southern Gold Coast and it’s a dog’s breakfast for residents.
“Mr Crisafulli had a chance yesterday to call out Mr Hart’s light rail plan and didn’t.
“If Mr Crisafulli wants to be taken seriously as a leader he needs to start by dealing with rogue members of his own team who dictate LNP policy using their own personal agendas.”
HART SLAMMED FOR ‘LUDICROUS, BIZARRE’ LIGHT RAIL TAKE
BURLEIGH MP Michael Hart has come under fire for a “bizarre rant” claiming public transport would be “obsolete in five to 10 years”.
Mr Hart in an interview with the Bulletin also claimed coal and carbon emissions were “not bad for the environment”.
His comments have been labelled “ludicrous” by Labor’s State Transport Minister Mark Bailey, who accused him of being out of touch.
“It’s one of the most ludicrous things I’ve ever heard in six years in government,” Mr Bailey said.
“Public transport is going to be more important than ever.
“It just shows Michael Hart and the LNP do not understand the first thing about public transport.
“He’s so far out of touch, he has got no idea what it’s like (for the general public).”
The clash is only the latest time the pair have come to verbal blows, previously arguing over light rail, planned M1 upgrades and even how to pronounce “Worongary”.
Mr Hart responded to Mr Bailey’s comments: “[It’s] purely an attempt at retribution because I have exposed his incompetence on light rail”
Mr Hart also told Bulletin reporter Ann Wason Moore he couldn’t believe banks wouldn’t lend money to the coal industry, adding he thought stopping coal mining would send Australia “back to the ice age”.
His take prompted Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon to fire back: “Another day another cooked take on climate from the LNP.
“Bizarre rant from Burleigh MP who reckons acting on climate change will mean ‘plants die and we go back to the ice age’.
“Unsurprising LNP went to the last election wanting to bin renewable and emissions reductions targets.”
Ms Scanlon rose to Environment Minister following a cabinet reshuffle after the 2020 Queensland election.
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