AFTER accusing Bendigonians who want to keep two train tracks all the way between Bendigo and Melbourne as being stuck in the 18th century, there's not much coming from local Labor MPs that would surprise.

But the recent ad from Jacinta Allan and Bob Cameron, which falsely claims the Liberals want to sabotage our rail upgrade from Kyneton to Bendigo, plummeted to new depths for local Labor MPs.

The facts are: The Bracks Labor Government is destroying the extremely useful double track between Kyneton and Bendigo that was built by pick and shovel with great foresight 144 years ago; The Bracks Government's reduction to only one track will inevitably delay trains forced to wait for others which are late, and travelling in the opposite direction; The cost of Bendigo's Fast Rail project has already blown out from $183 million to $200 million; No substantial track laying has occurred; The lengthy shutdown of the line for Fast Rail works will not start until at least October, 2004; There is plenty of time for the Bracks Government to vary the contract and retain the double track which Bendigo so badly needs.

Local Labor MPs know the Liberal Party's view that retaining two tracks is essential and has the support of local groups such as the Better Rail Action Group.

Local councils also support the Liberal Party's view, but are scared to speak out because they fear Minister for Transport Peter Batchelor will throw a tantrum and lower funding for local roads.

The Liberal Party believes Fast Rail works should have started in the Melbourne suburbs where late-running suburban and V/Line trains often delay each other.

Instead, under the Bracks Government's inability to manage anything properly, trains will still crawl in from Watergardens, through Sunshine and North Melbourne, to Spencer Street. Nothing is being done to fix constant delays approaching Spencer Street. You don't get these sorts of delays in London or Paris.

It's not new for local Labor MPs to refuse to listen to rail commuters and local government. After all, Bob Cameron and Jacinta Allan refused to install gauge convertible sleepers in the track at a small extra cost.

Sadly, the Bracks Labor Government will be remembered for destroying Bendigo's useful and priceless double rail tracks between Bendigo and Kyneton. Vandalism is alive and well in the Bracks Government.

TERRY MULDER, Shadow Minister for Transport