Question Time AU

General Debate

Inland Rail

House of Representatives · Monday 25 May 2026

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The debate centred on the Albanese government's decision to cease construction of the Inland Rail corridor north of Parkes, citing unsustainable cost blowouts and poor prior planning. Opposition members argued the cancellation devastated regional economies, wasted private investment, and reflected a metro-centric bias, while government members defended the move as fiscally responsible, highlighting independent reviews that projected costs up to $45 billion. Speakers discussed the impact on local businesses, the preservation of the rail corridor, and alternative investments in freight rail productivity. The motion moved by the National Party was not carried, with the government maintaining its position to deliver the line to Parkes by 2027.

Outcome

The motion was not carried.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Jamie Chaffey (Parkes) (National Party) Nationals

Chaffey moved a motion condemning the government for cutting and delaying Inland Rail funding, arguing it abandoned the original vision of a completed Melbourne to Brisbane corridor. Chaffey stated that the cancellation left thousands of people and businesses in limbo, citing specific examples such as Specialised Civil Services in Narrabri reducing staff from 85 to 40 after investing over $25 million. Chaffey claimed the decision was driven by metro-centric selfishness rather than economics, contrasting the cut with $3.8 billion allocated to Melbourne's Suburban Rail Loop. Chaffey argued the project would have reduced freight transit times from 33 hours to under 24 hours and removed 200,000 truck movements annually.

Government response

Shayne Neumann (Blair) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

Neumann argued that Inland Rail was mismanaged by the former coalition government, citing independent reviews by Dr Kerry Schott and actuarial assurances indicating a $45 billion cost blowout. Neumann stated the government decided to deliver the line to Parkes by the end of 2027 while preserving the corridor north for future use, describing the original plan as unsustainable. Neumann highlighted local concerns in his electorate regarding noise and environmental impacts from double-stacked freight trains. Neumann announced a further $1.75 billion investment in freight rail productivity and a $55 million incentive to shift freight from roads to rail and sea.

Opposition response

Ben Small (Forrest) (Liberal Party) Liberal

Small criticised the government for cutting $6.15 billion from Inland Rail while funding metropolitan projects like the Suburban Rail Loop, which he described as a pipe dream with low economic returns. Small argued that regional Australia was bearing $11 billion in cuts across infrastructure, communications, and drought support, while net zero initiatives received $18.2 billion. Small pointed to cost blowouts in Victoria's North East Link, noting the Commonwealth increased its contribution despite the rise from $15.6 billion to $26 billion. Small claimed the government was ripping the guts out of regional infrastructure spending to offset GST deals and fund suburban follies.