Vic E/W Link / Metro Rail / Large projects

[Collingwoodity]

Why is this guy (and his cronies) getting a free ride?

He said that the E-W Link contracts were "not worth the paper they were written on" and now wants to enact legislation to retrospectively alter the validity of the contracts.

If I were to take over a business based on the premise that I would not have to pay Long Service Leave to employees, and then I was advised that my legal obligations were to pay Long Service Leave to employees, would I be able to use a get out of goal free card? No. This is not Monopoly Mr Andrews.

If you make a mistake you must own up to it.

Equity follows the law.

The rule of law can not be broken for poor decision-makers.

 

[pazza]

Why is this guy (and his cronies) getting a free ride?

He said that the E-W Link contracts were "not worth the paper they were written on" and now wants to enact legislation to retrospectively alter the validity of the contracts.

If I were to take over a business based on the premise that I would not have to pay Long Service Leave to employees, and then I was advised that my legal obligations were to pay Long Service Leave to employees, would I be able to use a get out of goal free card? No. This is not Monopoly Mr Andrews.

If you make a mistake you must own up to it.

Equity follows the law.

The rule of law can not be broken for poor decision-makers.

Herald-Sun have been riding him hard. Very hard.

The fact remains.

Despite what the people in the Liberal belt and the RACV might think, the E-W link isn't actually going to solve any problem about gridlock. It will shift the gridlock onto other roads. It will impact on residents in Carlton, Fitzroy, Collingwood, Abbotsford, Parkville, Brunswick, North Melbourne and Thornbury.

There are plenty of other road projects and rail projects that need to be implemented before E-W Link is built.

For the roads, the completion of the Metropolitan Ring Road, which would need the section between Greensborough and Eastlink to be built. Then the length of the road to be widened to 4 lanes both ways from Laverton North to Donvale. This will allow for better cross-city road movements for freight and airport access.

The list of public transport projects is as long as this:

* Doncaster railway line from North Melbourne, via Fitzroy, Kew, Bulleen, Doncaster, Templestowe and Warrandyte.
* Glen Waverley line extension to Rowville and Scoresby.
* Duplication of rail from Ardeer to Bacchus Marsh, with new stations at Caroline Springs, Rockbank and Melton.
* Airport Rail link using infrastructure already in place through Footscray, Sunshine and East Keilor.
* Reinstatement of rail services to Mildura, Horsham and from Geelong to Shepparton.
* Increased services to Echuca, Albury, Warrnambool and Bairnsdale.
* Tram services to Knox City.
* Better co-ordination with buses to support rail services.

The list above will ensure public transport is a viable alternative for work, shopping and other activities in the city as wellas connecting the suburbs and the country a lot better than it now is.

 

[Collingwoodity]

Herald-Sun have been riding him hard. Very hard.

The fact remains.

Despite what the people in the Liberal belt and the RACV might think, the E-W link isn't actually going to solve any problem about gridlock. It will shift the gridlock onto other roads. It will impact on residents in Carlton, Fitzroy, Collingwood, Abbotsford, Parkville, Brunswick, North Melbourne and Thornbury.

There are plenty of other road projects and rail projects that need to be implemented before E-W Link is built.

For the roads, the completion of the Metropolitan Ring Road, which would need the section between Greensborough and Eastlink to be built. Then the length of the road to be widened to 4 lanes both ways from Laverton North to Donvale. This will allow for better cross-city road movements for freight and airport access.

The list of public transport projects is as long as this:

* Doncaster railway line from North Melbourne, via Fitzroy, Kew, Bulleen, Doncaster, Templestowe and Warrandyte.
* Glen Waverley line extension to Rowville and Scoresby.
* Duplication of rail from Ardeer to Bacchus Marsh, with new stations at Caroline Springs, Rockbank and Melton.
* Airport Rail link using infrastructure already in place through Footscray, Sunshine and East Keilor.
* Reinstatement of rail services to Mildura, Horsham and from Geelong to Shepparton.
* Increased services to Echuca, Albury, Warrnambool and Bairnsdale.
* Tram services to Knox City.
* Better co-ordination with buses to support rail services.

The list above will ensure public transport is a viable alternative for work, shopping and other activities in the city as well as connecting the suburbs and the country a lot better than it now is.

Pazza, it's not about the E-W Link now though. It's about his (in)actions pre-election and in-office.

He said he had received advice from pre-eminent barristers about the invalidity of the contracts. He said that he would have a mandate to tear up the contracts without paying compensation.

Many swinging and Liberal voters voted based on this alone.

He either received incorrect legal advice or deceived the public. Either way he needs to own up to his actions.

He said he was going to release the business case.

He didn't.

As to the actual infrastructure question, how many of these projects have been committed to by Andrews:

* Doncaster railway line from North Melbourne, via Fitzroy, Kew, Bulleen, Doncaster, Templestowe and Warrandyte.
* Glen Waverley line extension to Rowville and Scoresby.
* Duplication of rail from Ardeer to Bacchus Marsh, with new stations at Caroline Springs, Rockbank and Melton.
* Airport Rail link using infrastructure already in place through Footscray, Sunshine and East Keilor.
* Reinstatement of rail services to Mildura, Horsham and from Geelong to Shepparton.
* Increased services to Echuca, Albury, Warrnambool and Bairnsdale.
* Tram services to Knox City.
* Better co-ordination with buses to support rail services.

 

[AM]

Probably a beat-up by that right wing rag.

The real issue is why the Liaberals signed a huge contract on the eve of an election when there was no necessity to do so and without taking it to the electorate.

Smells of people with their noses in the trough.

Andrews took his policy of not proceeding with this folly and was duly elected. He has a mandate to scrap it.

 

[Play by Numbers]

I'm more angry at the liberals. It was half corruption and half political stitch up.

As for Andrews I didn't have high hopes, but he has been ok so far.

The main needs for public transport are the rail tunnel, Flinders st upgrade and level crossings. All of which they may address.

Any expansion of capacity is dependant on the rail tunnel and an upgrade to Flinders st, rail and electronic infrastructure in and around the city. The level crossings are a safety hazard, increase congestion and prevent upgrades to lines and or trains.

 

[Maggie5]

He stated that he will release contracts, still time, wouldn't judge him yet.

 

[Bosun]

Probably a beat-up by that right wing rag.

The real issue is why the Liaberals signed a huge contract on the eve of an election when there was no necessity to do so and without taking it to the electorate.

Smells of people with their noses in the trough.

Andrews took his policy of not proceeding with this folly and was duly elected. He has a mandate to scrap it.

I would assume his confidence of being able to scrap it with no compensation paid does have an impact, however he was elected with a key pillar being no EW link which was voted (overwhelmingly) for.

 

[romeoh]

Pazza, it's not about the E-W Link now though. It's about his (in)actions pre-election and in-office.

He said he had received advice from pre-eminent barristers about the invalidity of the contracts. He said that he would have a mandate to tear up the contracts without paying compensation.

Many swinging and Liberal voters voted based on this alone.

He either received incorrect legal advice or deceived the public. Either way he needs to own up to his actions.

He said he was going to release the business case.

He didn't.

As to the actual infrastructure question, how many of these projects have been committed to by Andrews:

* Doncaster railway line from North Melbourne, via Fitzroy, Kew, Bulleen, Doncaster, Templestowe and Warrandyte.
* Glen Waverley line extension to Rowville and Scoresby.
* Duplication of rail from Ardeer to Bacchus Marsh, with new stations at Caroline Springs, Rockbank and Melton.
* Airport Rail link using infrastructure already in place through Footscray, Sunshine and East Keilor.
* Reinstatement of rail services to Mildura, Horsham and from Geelong to Shepparton.
* Increased services to Echuca, Albury, Warrnambool and Bairnsdale.
* Tram services to Knox City.
* Better co-ordination with buses to support rail services.

Early days for Andrew yet-why not wait and see the outcome and why not get outraged about the Libs signing such a deal just before an election-and such a questionable and tainted deal at that. The libs ought to be charged with defrauding the state.

 

[Pessimistic]

The liberals are like useless tenants who got annoyed when evicted an trashed the place, smeared s**t on the walls

Perhaps taxpayers should hold a bond from the political parties while they hold office. If that were the case, the libs wouldnt be getting it back.

The current govt are probably trying to convert the promised work into rail tunnell and other projects, and convincing the feds to allow the money to be used more effectively. Going by infrastructure australia, they have a strong case.

The consortiums played the last lot for chumps, and are thinking they can do it to the next lot too.

 

[Todman]

Probably a beat-up by that right wing rag.

The real issue is why the Liaberals signed a huge contract on the eve of an election when there was no necessity to do so and without taking it to the electorate.
Andrews took his policy of not proceeding with this folly and was duly elected. He has a mandate to scrap it.

Any contract this size had a poison pill to protect the contractors from financial loses caused by contract cancellation. It's a standard business practice for governments and companies alike.

Andrews & the ALP only got 38% of the popular vote. He relied on Green preferences to win.

 

[romeoh]

Any contract this size had a poison pill to protect the contractors from financial loses caused by contract cancellation. It's a standard business practice for governments and companies alike.

Andrews & the ALP only got 38% of the popular vote. He relied on Green preferences to win.

The contract was a disgrace and so was the signing of it.
The ALP got 47 seats and the Libs got 30 seats. ( Nats -8). One could say -lucky the Nats won 8 so it didn't look like such a flogging. It was a big victory. Credit where it is due.

 

[Pessimistic]

And a green installed in the seat of phrahan

 

[jasonwilde]

Many swinging and Liberal voters voted based on this alone.
...
Either way he needs to own up to his actions.

Come again?

This issue really pisses me off. I was ropable at the time. It was pretty clear that the Liberals were going to lose.

There was no need for them to sign a contract. What was it, 6 or 7 weeks? One of the most irresponsible actions ever undertaken by a Government. And for what purpose? Feel free to enlighten me as to why the Libs couldn't wait to sign. I wouldn't be surprised if they have links to the project TBH, because I'm at a total effing loss. Treating Victorians with disdain. Why? Oh, because they may get voted out.

Yeah, someone needs to own up to their actions, just not the guy you think.

Oh, & genuine lol to your suggestion that this was the issue that influenced a lot of Libs and swinging voters.

 

[jasonwilde]

Probably a beat-up by that right wing rag.

The real issue is why the Liaberals signed a huge contract on the eve of an election when there was no necessity to do so and without taking it to the electorate.

Smells of people with their noses in the trough.

Andrews took his policy of not proceeding with this folly and was duly elected. He has a mandate to scrap it.

This.

 

[Pessimistic]

Apparently matthew guy has been approving battery hen apartment developments which wouldnt be allowed in new york or tokyo.

Nice ticking time bomb for him when he starts looking like being elected premier

Oh by the way, look no further than them being feckin useless as a reason to be voted out

 

[jasonwilde]

Apparently matthew guy has been approving battery hen apartment developments which wouldnt be allowed in new york or tokyo.

Nice ticking time bomb for him when he starts looking like being elected premier

Interesting.

Link?

 

[Pessimistic]

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/m...e-illegal-in-other-cities-20140610-39vwh.html

 

[jasonwilde]

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/m...e-illegal-in-other-cities-20140610-39vwh.html

My God it's so hard not to get depressed with politics.

 

[AM]

Any contract this size had a poison pill to protect the contractors from financial loses caused by contract cancellation. It's a standard business practice for governments and companies alike.

Andrews & the ALP only got 38% of the popular vote. He relied on Green preferences to win.

The Liaberals did way more than attempt to protect the contractors from recouping the costs so far incurred. If that was all they were seeking the matter would be resolved by now.

Think you'll find in a preferential voting system that's how governments are elected. Worked wonders for the Liarberals and Nationals over the years.

 

[Todman]

The contract was a disgrace and so was the signing of it.
The ALP got 47 seats and the Libs got 30 seats. ( Nats -8). One could say -lucky the Nats won 8 so it didn't look like such a flogging. It was a big victory. Credit where it is due.

Is it any more a a disgrace than the desal plant that will cost $30 billion: $1 billion per year for 30 years without having to provide any water?

 

[Elroo]

Any contract this size had a poison pill to protect the contractors from financial loses caused by contract cancellation. It's a standard business practice for governments and companies alike.

Andrews & the ALP only got 38% of the popular vote. He relied on Green preferences to win.

The ALP won such it up.

No it is not standard practice to put in clauses that leave the state liable for $1 billion plus penalties.

 

[Elroo]

Is it any more a a disgrace than the desal plant that will cost $30 billion: $1 billion per year for 30 years without having to provide any water?

The LNP had the ability under the contract to penalise and also renogotiate the desal plant price with the builders due to them failing to comply with the contract terms, and the LNP refused too.

 

[Todman]

The LNP had the ability under the contract to penalise and also renogotiate the desal plant price with the builders due to them failing to comply with the contract terms, and the LNP refused too.

Believe whatever fairytale you like.

 

[Elroo]

Believe whatever fairytale you like.

That you have no idea about major contracts? No thats fact.

 

[romeoh]

Is it any more a a disgrace than the desal plant that will cost $30 billion: $1 billion per year for 30 years without having to provide any water?

Yes, as a matter of fact it is more of a disgrace, because of the appalling abuse re the timing and because of the very ordinary research done, and the corrupt use of that research and the corrupt nature of the contract.
Besides, what does that have to do with Daniel Andrews?