LNP blames state government for Inland Rail delays

An argument over who is to blame over Inland Rail delays has heated up on the eve of the state election.

Trevor Watts cast his ballot at the Railway Goods Shed on Friday.

The row between the two major parties over Inland Rail delays has intensified, with the state LNP laying the blame for the project’s delay at the ALP Government’s feet.

Toowoomba North ALP candidate Megan O’Hara Sullivan this week said the Federal Government was playing politics by not approving the route review on the project.

LNP MP Trevor Watts, however, said it was the State Government not approving the environmental impact study that was holding the project up.

“The EIS for the border to Gowrie section of the Inland Rail has been sitting on the Queensland Coordinator-General’s desk since 2019,” he said.

“The project cannot move forward until the Co-ordinator-General has completed their review.

“Suggesting this is a political matter is completely disingenuous.

“The Labor candidate’s comments are purely political.”

Mr Watts said he would continue to “fight to ensure the Inland Rail gets built”.