A re-elected Albanese Labor Government has pledged to work with the Western Australia Government to return Western Australia’s freight rail network to public ownership.
The pledge includes a $2.5 million commitment to support the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) in partnering with the WA Government to conduct due diligence and a feasibility study on taking back control of parts of the network.
The study will examine the potential for greater integration between WA’s freight lines and the ARTC’s national network, including the possibility of the Commonwealth assuming direct control of the east-west rail corridor between Kalgoorlie and Fremantle.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the move would strengthen Australia’s critical freight infrastructure for the future.
“Our rail network is our nation’s nervous system – it is so important that these key freight lines remain productive, viable and well maintained,” he said.
“We will work with the Cook Labor Government to fund a study to assess the viability of bringing these rail lines back into public hands.”
The WA Government has already announced it is entering negotiations to re-acquire the network, which was privatised by the former WA Liberal Government in 2000. Labor representatives say privatisation has stunted investment and hindered growth in key industries for more than two decades.
WA Premier Roger Cook welcomed the federal commitment, saying greater control would help unlock economic opportunities across the state.
“Taking control back of our rail freight network will help diversify our economy for the future, create local jobs and ensure all Western Australians, no matter where they live, have access to the services they need,” Cook said.
Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King added that a strong and resilient rail network was crucial to national supply chains, particularly highlighting the importance of the east-west line.
“As we saw in 2022, when this line goes out of action, freight movements and supply chains come to a screeching halt,” King said.
Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti said the original privatisation deal had not stood the test of time and that regaining control of the freight network would enable the state to direct investments towards more efficient and sustainable transport outcomes.
Public control of the network is expected to deliver economic benefits, lower freight costs, improve supply chain productivity, and reduce the number of trucks on the road, enhancing road safety across WA.
Nominations for the federal election are due to close next month, with infrastructure and economic diversification emerging as key issues for voters in Western Australia.
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