NSW: Carr promises to fix rail supremo s lack of powers =2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-01-2000
NSW: Carr promises to fix rail supremo s lack of powers =2

Mr Scully said Mr Christie had already seconded experts in various fields, including
finance and industrial relations, to his office for advice on railway improvement.

"He's getting on with the job, there's not a problem," Mr Scully said.

However, opposition transport spokesman Barry O'Farrell said the government had cut
corners to quickly appease the public when it appointed Mr Christie in May and it now
needed to draw up the necessary legislation.

"It was clearly a rushed appointment by the Carr government who was under pressure
by the state of Sydney's rail system," Mr O'Farrell said.

"The fact that at least two rail boards took legal advice on a directive given to them
by Mr Christie in relation to their dealings with the auditor-general suggests that there
are doubts, that there are question marks over Mr Christie's power."

Mr O'Farrell said the powers had to be conferred on Mr Christie properly to prevent
problems with the rail system being swept under the carpet.

He said the opposition's objections were not a personal comment on Mr Christie and
it would support legislation to fix the problem.

AAP jw/ah/was

KEYWORD: TRAIN CARR 2 HOBART (REOPENS)

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