Elliott blames continuing rail woes on state treasurer

NSW Transport Minister David Elliott has blamed state Treasurer Matt Kean for the industrial action that continues to plague Sydney’s train network.

NSW Transport Minister David Elliott. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Nikki Short

NSW Transport Minister David Elliott has blamed colleague and state Treasurer Matt Kean for the industrial action that continues to plague Sydney’s train network, saying the headache is a result of “when you send a boy to do a man’s job”.

The move comes just days after Mr Elliott withdrew from the race to be deputy Liberal leader, clearing the way for Mr Kean to take the job.

Until September 6, gates across the state’s train stations will be left open, with the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) banning transport officers from issuing cautions and fines, meaning commuters could opt to either tap their Opal cards or not.

This industrial action comes as the RTBU continues its lengthy dispute with the NSW government, resulting in the Transport Minister taking aim at his colleague for fracturing the relationship with the union.

“It’s very hard for me to look (the unions) in the eye and expect them to believe me after I had the rug pulled out from under my feet last time, but that’s what you get when you send a boy in to do a man’s job,” Mr Elliott told Nine newspapers.

The onslaught of industrial action is a result of transport workers’ concern for passenger safety around the new Intercity fleet, with the union demanding the state government modify the trains.

The RTBU is advocating for the government to honour a deed confirming it will make modifications to the trains at a cost of $264m before negotiating a new enterprise agreement, while the government wants both completed together.

Mr Elliott’s comments follow Mr Kean and Employee Relations Minister Damien Tudehope assuring that the state government would not concede to the costly demands of the union, despite eventually bowing down,

“It has already cost us millions of dollars in lost productivity,” he said.

“I think I still have some trust with the union, but unfortunately the government doesn’t.”

Commuters have faced headaches in the past week, with the T4, Eastern, Illawarra and South Coast line services on Wednesday not running from 10am to 4pm, and the stations witnessing crowded scenes and frustrated passengers.

While Mr Elliott said he had been working closely with the unions, government MPs have expressed concern the minister has failed to communicate the government’s offer.

“David Elliott’s idea of a negotiation is just to give everything away to the unions in order to make himself look a hero,” a Liberal source said.

The fresh attack on Mr Kean comes as NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet tries to steady his ship after the John Barilaro jobs saga and as the state election draws closer.