“Obviously we are in an election campaign and … we don’t have formal Cabinet meetings during election campaigns, we’re in caretaker,” she said.
“Obviously things work differently than when Cabinets can formally meet … when executive government is in full operation, we are in caretaker.
“Obviously [Transport] Minister Albanese consulted and worked through this project. It’s ready to go, it’s a great project for Sydney.”
Ms Gillard also would not be drawn on when the NSW Government was told about the project.
“There have been discussions between Minister Albanese and the NSW Government,” she said.
“Obviously Minister Albanese provides me with advice, I relied on it on this project and I think it’s a good project for Sydney, a good project for two economic hubs and a good project because it’s ready to go.”
The Carr government promised to build the line in 1998. It was delayed in 2001, then scrapped entirely.
But Ms Gillard guarantees the rail link will actually be built.
“I understand that in New South Wales, there have been a number of announcements in the past,” she said.
“I understand there would be people in western Sydney who shrug their shoulders a bit and say, ‘Gee, I’ve heard all this before.’
“What I say to those voters is I will get this done. Work will start happening next year, we will have an intergovernmental agreement that requires the New South Wales Government to stay up to the mark and we will pay on milestones as they are delivered.”
Construction of the rail link will start in 2014 and will take three years to complete.
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First posted 53 minutes ago
