Light rail funding war: how a Labor MP makes Gold Coast MPs see red during transport debate

An Opposition MP and Transport Minister Mark Bailey are engaged in an extraordinary war of words over funding of the light rail, leaving a doubt hanging over the proposed extension to Burleigh.

TRANSPORT Minister Mark Bailey has cemented himself as political enemy number one among Gold Coast LNP MPs as a fight escalates about light rail funding.

Bonney MP Sam O’Connor is the latest Opposition MP to clash with Mr Bailey after the Transport Minister called him a “rookie” and questioned his fight for the Gold Coast.

“Sam O’Connor should start demanding his federal LNP colleagues back the Gold Coast with decent infrastructure funding instead of ripping it off like they did on the M1,” Mr Bailey said.

TATE SICK OF BEING ‘OLIVER TWIST’ IN LIGHT RAIL SAGA

Bonney MP Sam O'Connor outside what would be the start of spur line for light rail to future link to Harbour Town at Biggera Waters.

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“His capitulation to the LNP party line shows he’s picked up lazy habits from his older LNP colleagues.”

On Saturday, Mr Bailey said the Federal Government was $157.5 million short in its pledge to help fund the next stage of the light rail, from Broadbeach to Burleigh, after pledging $112 million for the $709 million project.

The Commonwealth contribution is about 16 per cent of the total funding, which compares to 38 per cent it gave for Stage 1 and 22 per cent for Stage 2.

Mr O’Connor was told by the Minister to “find some courage” and stick up for the Coast after the LNP MP argued that light rail was a State project and any federal funding was a bonus.

Mr O’Connor on his Facebook page has since posted: “I love light rail. It needs to be rolled out across our city.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey and Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon on a site tour of work on the M1 upgrade.

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“The next stage is to Burleigh and I’ve been trying to get the State Government to commit money to it. The other day I was a ‘rookie’, now I’m called ‘lazy’ and told to ‘find some courage’.

“The only thing that Mark Bailey seems to do with his time is make up nastier insults. Imagine what he would be capable of if he spent even half his day doing his job and find funding for projects the Gold Coast needs.”

Mr O’Connor yesterday said he backed light rail proceeding first to the airport then developed to include three spur lines.

WHY SOUTHERN COAST HAS MASSIVE FIGHT ON HANDS FOR LIGHT RAIL

A mocked up postcard mocking Burleigh MP Michael Hart for missing Parliament and taking an overseas trip to Canada.

“I want the first to be at Biggera Waters, along Olsen Avenue to Harbour Town,” he said.

Mr Bailey has previously clashed with Burleigh MP Michael Hart in Parliament about his alleged business interests on a possible light rail route west to the Pacific Motorway.

Mr Hart accused Mr Bailey of spreading “bulls***” about him and talking “absolute crap”.

Mr Bailey had tormented Mr Hart about a Canadian holiday during parliamentary sittings, with the minister tweeting a mocked-up postcard of Mr Hart wearing a Rocky Mountains cap.

Coomera LNP MP Michael Crandon and the Transport Minister have also waged a war inside the Parliament about M1 funding and exit upgrades.

Mr Bailey has successfully defended accusations from Mr Crandon, in a complaint to the Speaker, that he deliberately misled the Parliament about funding of the M1 and progress of the regional transport corridor.

Mr Bailey declined an invitation from Mr Crandon to join him on a visit to the electorate, saying he had been there many times.

At the end of a typed letter to Mr Crandon, Mr Bailey wrote: “PS A lot more happens in your area under Labor than the Newman Government Michael!”.