Queensland Rail: Independent inquiry to be conducted, Opposition calls for Stirling Hinchliffe to quit

An inquiry report of the issues surrounding Queensland Rail services will be received by the government on Tuesday. The matter, being inquired by Consultant Phillip Strachan, concerns lack of drivers, problems associated with timetables and cancellations of services on the south-east train network last year after the opening of the Redcliffe line.

Premier Annastacia Palasczcuk has appointed Stratchan to look into the matter. "I have commissioned Phillip Strachan to get to the bottom of what happened in relation to Queensland Rail,” Palasczcuk said. She added that Stratchan will be personally discussing the report with her. "We will be working on that report over the weekend, it will go to Cabinet on Monday, and on Monday the report will be publicly released as well as the Government's response,” she said.

Nevertheless, commuters will have to wait to see who is held accountable. The inquiry report will not be publicly released until Feb. 6.

Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe is receiving heavy criticism over the matter. The Opposition is calling for his resignation. While Hinchliffe holds Queensland Rail chiefs accountable for not keeping him aware about the impending staffing crisis, the Opposition says it is unlikely that a minister would not have any knowledge about such a major problem.

Hinchliffe highlighted that the disarray was caused by an electrical fault that stopped the telemetry, measuring the position of trains on the line. This, he noted, was significant for train management. "The reality is that the halt went on services as an abundance of caution in terms of safety," he said. "A fault like this unfortunately can occur at any time. Thankfully they occur very rarely but a fault like this can occur any time on any heavy rail system anywhere in the world."

As reported by AAP (via News Corp), Queensland Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls expressed his criticism of Hinchliffe. "I think the first restructure that needs to happen is Stirling Hinchliffe," Nicholls said. "People have lost confidence in this minister, they won't be catching the trains and that means more traffic on our roads.” Nicholls also said the LNP want to be briefed on the findings of Stratchan’s review before recommendations are made.

The issues on Monday caused a suspension of services in the Redcliffe Peninsula rail line. Services have since resumed. The departures of Queensland Rail chief executive Helen Gluer, board chairman Michael Klug and chief operations officer Kevin Wright were prompted following services cancellations last year.