Mark Speakman
Leader of the Opposition
Natalie Ward
Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads
The Minns Labor Government looks like delivering a Christmas nightmare for New South Wales commuters, with strike action by the Rail, Tram, and Bus Union (RTBU) threatening to grind Sydney's train network to a halt from 28 December. As New Year's Eve plans hang in the balance, the Government's inability to manage industrial disputes has left families, businesses, and revellers facing a festive season of chaos and uncertainty.
The RTBU's industrial action, escalating from 28 December, will see train kilometres gradually reduced, throwing Sydney's transport system into disarray just days before New Year's Eve. Despite legal battles and promises to act, the Minns Labor Government has failed to secure a resolution, leaving commuters to bear the brunt of its inability to lead.
It's been seven months of the same RTBU script – strikes, delays, and last-minute apologies from the Government.
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said that after 20 months in office, the Minns Labor Government has delivered nothing but strike after strike.
"This Christmas, they've managed to gift-wrap chaos for the people of New South Wales.
The industrial action planned for the busiest time of the year is a disaster. Instead of resolving disputes and protecting commuters, Chris Minns has been asleep at the wheel, leaving families stranded during what should be the happiest time of the year," Mr Speakman said.
Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads Natalie Ward said the strikes are yet another example of Labor's failure to manage critical infrastructure and its relationships with unions.
"Chris Minns came into office boasting about his ability to work with unions, but all we've seen is strike after strike, delay after delay, and now chaos at the worst possible time.
The Minns Labor Government is a case study in failure – they can't manage the trains, they can't manage the unions, and they certainly can't be trusted to deliver for the people of New South Wales," Ms Ward said.
The Minns Labor Government's pattern of "minutes-to-midnight" apologies and rolling out bureaucrats to soften the blow with empty promises has worn thin.
New South Wales commuters deserve better than a government that lurches from one strike to the next. The people of this state are paying the price for a government that doesn't know how to lead.
NSW is worse off under the Minns Labor Government.
