Ongoing maintenance funding for the North East rail line has not been guaranteed by the federal government, with Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack saying that was something for its Victorian counterparts to consider.
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The federal government has provided $235 million to upgrade the line to a Victorian Class 2 standard, but Indi MP Helen Haines told Parliament there was no further plan for maintenance.
She asked Mr McCormack for a commitment in question time on Tuesday.
"If there is no funding for maintenance, it will again fall below Class 2 standard and the entire $235 million dollar upgrade will be for nothing," she said.
"Will the government commit to providing maintenance funding for the North East rail line?"
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Mr McCormack started by offering his condolences to the victims of the Wallan crash and talking up the government's investment in inland rail, before he was twice asked by Speaker Tony Smith to answer the question.
He repeated a comment from ARTC chief executive John Fullerton on Monday night that the usual amount spent on maintenance of the track was about $6 million per year.
"As the North East rail line upgrade progresses towards completion by mid next year, the ongoing maintenance of the track is an ongoing consideration for the commercial lease negotiations between the ARTC and the Victorian government," Mr McCormack said.
Dr Haines met with the Deputy Prime Minister in person on Monday to make the same request.
"Our communities want to be confident that trains on the North East line will then run on-time, every time, and safely," she said.
"Only a commitment to recurrent funding to maintain the refurbished track to this higher standard will deliver this assurance."