Forde MP Bert van Manen has lashed out at Logan City mayor Darren Power over the latter’s criticism of the federal government for what he described as an unacceptable delay in the Senate inquiry into the Inland Rail Project.
The inquiry has been granted a further extension, to February 2021, to give its report.
Cr Power, who opposes the proposed freight line from Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton (K2ARB), said it was ‘not good enough’ that Logan residents have been left in the dark due to yet another delay.
He said, “This is just another blow to the community from the federal government and Logan deserves a lot better.”
However, Mr van Manen has responded to the mayor’s comments saying Cr Power should get his facts right.
“It was really disappointing to hear those comments from the Mayor because he has not written or raised this issue with me since being elected, despite being given numerous opportunities to do so,” he said.
“The Mayor’s comments are wrong and ill-informed.”
Mr van Manen said the reason the Senate inquiry was delayed in reporting until February next year has nothing to do with the federal government.
“The committee is chaired by Labor Senator Glenn Sterle and Labor, the Greens and the crossbench have the numbers,” he continued.
“Senator Sterle requested the extension and it was never a request from the federal government – it had nothing to do with the government so the mayor’s facts are completely and utterly wrong and he should get them right.”
