Labor spruiks Metronet

Federal Labor politicians have reiterated support for the State Government’s Metronet rail expansion, meeting outside the proposed site of the Karnup railway station.

Federal Brand MP Madeleine King met with shadow assistant minister for infrastructure Pat Conroy last week to discuss the project and meet with stakeholders in the area.

The State Government’s Metronet proposal was met with scepticism by the Federal Government.

In March, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said it was “absurd” to expect money for Metronet while many of the details were unknown.

Ms King said despite the hostility from Canberra, the project had the backing of her Labor colleagues.

“We’re fully supportive of what the McGowan Government is trying to do to ease congestion on our roads and provide better public transport services for the people of Brand, particularly people down here in the south,” she said.

“It’s a ridiculous and frankly absurd proposition to threaten to withhold that funding from Western Australia when it’s in such a great need for funding.

“I do all I can to keep the pressure up in the Government to ensure WA gets its fair share of the infrastructure funding.”

Plans for the Karnup station were unveiled in 2015 with then-Opposition Leader Mark McGowan saying it would service the growing suburbs of Golden Bay, Singleton, Madora Bay, Secret Harbour, Port Kennedy, Baldivis, Lakelands and Meadow Springs.

Mr Conroy said current modelling showed there was a great need for new infrastructure projects in the region.