NSW: Oppn accuse govt of holding onto Hexham report
By Sheree Went
SYDNEY, Dec 15 AAP - The NSW opposition has accused the state government of plottingto hold back a report into the Hexham train crash until Christmas to avoid maximum publicexposure.
But NSW Transport Minister Carl Scully has hit back saying that as soon as he receivesit from the independent regulator, it will be made public.
Nine people were injured on July 12 when the passenger train they were in slammed intoa derailed coal train at Hexham, near Newcastle.
A warning system alerted a third train heading toward the derailment site, narrowlyavoiding a three way collision.
Opposition transport spokesman Peter Debnam today accused the government of sittingon the report.
"It was just a matter of luck no-one was killed or (seriously) injured in the Hexhamcrash and I understand the report reveals many of the problems identified in the Glenbrookcrash three years ago," Mr Debnam said.
"The government must release the report today - not during the Christmas New Year holidays."
An interim report was handed down on July 31 finding missing parts from a rusted-overtrack and a breakdown in communication had led to the crash.
However, Mr Scully said as soon as Rail Safety Regulator Kent Donaldson handed downhis report, it would be made public.
"When I receive it I think I should be given the opportunity of reading it," Mr Scully said.
"I would expect to release it within 24 hours of receiving it."
A spokesman for Mr Scully later confirmed the report would be in public hands before Christmas.
"This is a major accident investigation by an independent person. It needs to be donein a timely manner but it also needs to be done correctly," the spokesman said.
The exchange coincides with Mr Scully's official opening of a $16 million "missioncontrol" styled rail management centre at Sydney's Central Station.
The spokesman said Mr Debnam's outburst was just an attempt to divert attention fromthe new operational facility.
"We've opened a $16 million facility which will dramatically increase reliability andcoordination within State Rail and the Rail Infrastructure Corporation," he said.
"Peter knows we are going to deliver this Hexham report before Christmas but he isjust doing this because he doesn't like it when we actually do good things for the railsystem."
AAP swe/sco/de
KEYWORD: TRAINS
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