CANBERRA LIBERALS SHINE THE LIGHT ON SECRET LIGHT RAIL DOCUMENTS
Leanne Castley MLA
Leader of the ACT Liberals
Media Release
22 May 2025
Following last week’s decision by the Independent Legal Arbiter The Hon. Keith Mason AC KC, Canberra Liberals leader Leanne Castley MLA has publicly published the ACT Government’s business case for Light Rail Stage 2.
“We can now see why the Labor Government fought so hard against the release of these secret documents for so many years. They reveal the Government’s hidden plans that will result in a huge waste of taxpayer money and permanently increase congestion in our city,” Ms Castley said.
“Using the power of the Legislative Assembly Standing Orders, we have forced the ACT Labor Government to reveal the costs of light rail, and say to all Labor Ministers: this is just the start.
“Taxpayers must know where their money is being spent and on what. This is a Canberra Liberals’ principle and will do what is needed to shine a light on other Labor projects whose costs they have hidden.
“The state of the ACT Legislative Assembly means the Labor Government can’t hide behind Executive power any more. The Canberra Liberals moved this motion to produce documents and we thank the Greens and Independents for supporting our motion.”
The most surprising revelations in the Stage 2 Business Case are:
Light Rail Stage 2 fails to stack up. It’s projected return of just 27 cents in every dollar (Table 8-12, p.175) is one of the worst results of any published ACT Government business case, and suggests $3 in every $4 spent on the project is being wasted.
(NB: This result excludes the ‘Wider economic benefits’, the use of which was criticised by the ACT Auditor-General in its review of Light Rail Stage 2).Light Rail Stage 2 will require two lanes of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge (one in each direction) and the dedicated T2 lane on Adelaide Avenue, despite warnings this will increase congestion on key arterial roads into the city (Table 6-3, p.104 and p.176)
One of the road tunnels beside Parliament House would need to be demolished and replaced with a larger tunnel to accommodate vehicles and light rail (p.107)
The business case noted that strengthening of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge may not be possible and a new bridge may need to be constructed – at significant additional cost (pp.106-7)
The January 2018 forecast was for Stage 2 to be fully completed and operating by the end of 2023 (p.126)
The business case excludes the costs of roadworks along Parkes Way (p.128) and the cost of raising London Circuit (p.129). The cost of the Parkes Way works has not been disclosed while the cost of London Circuit has been estimated to cost $60 million. These costs would further decrease the return mentioned in point 1.
By 2020, the estimated capital cost of Stage 2 had increased from around $1 billion (p.175) to $1.9 billion (ANZIP estimate) and completion is now expected to be complete in 2033, 10 years behind schedule.
ENDS
All documents released by the Independent Legal Arbiter can be accessed here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/383527w1j6jni4hiz7qlu/AKvdrokmmG5pfXktqYVs7TE?rlkey=qo5jr63mjweo2s0d9evqfvxc4&st=t7zib67o&dl=0
