Wallsend MP Calls for Review into Keolis Downer's Contract

BY OLIVIA DILLON

It's hoped a review into the state's bus services will improve the public transport situation in the Hunter. 

Transport Minister Jo Haylen says the contracts between the former Liberal government and private bus operators have revealed companies were offered financial incentives to cancel bus services across the state.

The contracts for Sydney buses reportedly imposed financial penalties on companies for failing to meet "on time running" targets, however services which were cancelled did not count as late.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery, says she plans to invite the Minster to the region, in order to review the contracts of local operator Keolis Downer. 

The company last month confirmed it had been cancelling more than 100 buses per day across Newcastle, blaming recruitment issues and driver shortages for the changes. 

Minister Haylen has reportedly sought urgent advice about what can legally be done to improve services across the state.

Image: Downer Group

Review into Chinese Company's Lease Over Port of Darwin Raises Questions over Port of Newcastle Lease

BY ZARA HANDSCOMB

The Port of Newcastle says its comfortable with its current contract arrangements with a Chinese company, despite the Defence Department considering scrapping a similar contract at the Port of Darwin. 

The Federal Government has ordered a review of the 2015 deal which gave Chinese owned company, Landbridge a 99-year lease over the Port of Darwin. 

The lease could be ripped up on the grounds it is found to be in breach of critical infrastructure laws passed in 2018. 

Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon says a review of the China Merchants Group 98-year lease over the Port of Newcastle should also be conducted, however tearing up the contracts could cause serious issues. 

"I don't understand why the government would say it's reviewing one Port but not another, they are both of great strategic importance," he says.

"Most if not all foreign investment is a good thing for the country, since our infancy we've relied on capital inflows from other countries. The Port should never have been privatised, but how do you tear up contracts retrospectively, that would send a terrible message to international investors." 

A Port of Newcastle spokesperson referred to comments made by the Prime Minister last week, saying "...there has never been anything presented to me at Newcastle Port regarding any problems with Australia's national security interests". 

The Port of Newcastle says it's "very comfortable with the blend of domestic and international experience brought to the table by its two equal shareholders – a local infrastructure investment fund managed on behalf of institutional and mum and dad superannuants across Australia, coupled with the world’s leading container terminal operator.”

Image source: Wikipedia