EAST–WEST
FREIGHT DISRUPTIONS
1276. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the minister's
answer to question without notice 1210 of 22 November 2022 and the recent
disruption to rail transport in Victoria affecting supplies in supermarkets in Western
Australia in the lead-up to Christmas.
(1) How many
meetings or conversations has the minister had with interstate colleagues since
the derailment in Victoria?
(2) Has the
minister been monitoring the number of road trains that are utilising temporary
rules that enable additional trailers in South Australia?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) If yes to
(2), what number of additional trailers have transited to Western Australia
from South Australia under these new rules?
(5) How long will the new rules
apply in South Australia?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(5) Contact was made with interstate counterparts and
interstate rail transport agencies soon after the derailment. South
Australia readily agreed to the minister's request for triple road
train permits to be made available to suitable transport operators, for which
the minister was greatly appreciative. As at 27 November 2022, 31 53.5-metre
triple road trains have entered Western Australia under the temporary special
permit arrangement.