Gold Coast light rail stage 4: Why LNP’s Palm Beach light rail stance is a political ’dog whistle’

For all the bluster around the LNP’s anti-light rail stance ahead of the election, it’s worth noting that the Opposition is not actually committing to dumping the project, writes The Editor

For all the bluster around the LNP’s anti-light rail stance ahead of the election, it’s worth noting that the Opposition is not actually committing to dumping the project.

The LNP have only committed to reviewing it, and its route and have been very careful not to actually say they will stop it, despite trying to give that impression in what Mayor Tom Tate has branded a “cynical” strategy to sandbag the marginal southern Gold Coast seats.

In political terms, it’s called a dog whistle.

LNP strategists privately say the tram extension from Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta is almost certain to go ahead, potentially with some modifications, given the significant money put into its planning, plus the need to get it built by the 2032 Olympics.

Labor has always been clear it is 100 per cent behind the project, as has the Gold Coast City Council.

This is clear, with revelations that the city has put more than $14m in funding towards the project.

The Council, in its draft annual report 2024-25, highlights “light rail Stage Four in kind works” of $13.8 million.

Acting Mayor Donna Gates said the City remains “absolutely committed” to completing a generational transport project.

Even business leaders, many of whom are keen for an LNP victory after nearly a decade of Labor in power, are critical of the party’s anti-tram rhetoric, given the party has previously been in favour of the project. The LNP’s own veteran MPs, particularly John-Paul Langbroek, have long been critical of the mistakes the party made during its brief stint in power under Campbell Newman, particularly the failure to either fund or deliver any infrastructure on the Gold Coast.

For all the failings of the current Labor administration, they have never been stingy about infrastructure. The LNP, if successful next month, cannot afford to engage in the same behaviour yet again, especially given they hold 10 of the city’s 11 seats.

The light rail connection to the airport is critical infrastructure which must be delivered by 2032.

Indulging unrealistic fantasies of a sudden heavy rail connection, helps nobody in the real world.