Fed: Federal minister backs NSW rail staff strike

AAP General News (Australia)
04-29-2004
Fed: Federal minister backs NSW rail staff strike

CANBERRA, April 29 AAP - A strike by country NSW railway staff today received the backing
of a federal government minister.

About 500 CountryLink reservations staff walked off the job for 24 hours to protest
against the NSW government's proposed cuts to regional rail services.

Federal Children and Youth Affairs Minister Larry Anthony, who represents the seat
of Richmond on the NSW north coast, said he was appalled at the NSW government's decision
to cut the XPT rail service between Casino and Murwillumbah.

"We should be trying to get more people onto rail and off roads," Mr Anthony said.

"They should be fully justified, these CountryLink staff, walking off this job (as
a result of) this appalling decision to reduce standards in the country."

Mr Anthony said the NSW government was cutting country rail services so it could put
more funds into city train services.

"They're cannibalising country services to support Cityrail," he said.

"What they should be doing is supporting both services."

AAP pj/apm

KEYWORD: COUNTRYLINK ANTHONY

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