Privatising QR bad news for regions

Privatising Queensland Rail (QR) will have long-term and serious implications for regional Queensland, warns AMWU Qld Secretary Andrew Dettmer.

The State Government’s current privatisation proposal involves selling off large parts of QR, including the coal and freight businesses and even some of the rails themselves.

“QR is the best way for the Queensland Government to positively intervene in regional

Queensland by providing jobs to areas that may otherwise struggle with employment,” Mr Dettmer said.

“Selling the business off means the buyer can and will shut down non-profitable arms of the business, even if they are the lifeblood of a regional community.

“That leads to higher unemployment in those areas, a reduction in property prices and eventually a deterioration of the community as a whole.”

Mr Dettmer said that it was vital that the State Government maintained its reach into regional areas for their long-term welfare.

“The Global Financial Crisis won’t last, and when things get better for Queensland financially, the Government needs to be able to share that with regional areas,” he said.

QR has facilities across the state including Maryborough, Brisbane, Redbank, Toowoomba, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Sarina, Townsville, Cairns, Emerald and Mount Isa.

The AMWU has approximately 1,000 members in QR, the majority of who are based in regional or rural areas.