NSW:Premier defends metro axing, despite waste

AAP General News (Australia)
12-02-2010
NSW:Premier defends metro axing, despite waste

The New South Wales premier has defended the scrapping of the multi-billion dollar
Sydney Metro transport project .. after it was revealed 356 million dollars was wasted
on the venture.

A report from Auditor-General PETER ACHTERSTRAAT says the debacle not only cost taxpayers
financially .. but also caused other projects to be put on hold.

KRISTINA KENNEALLY says cabinet made a difficult but right decision to stop work on
the metro in february .. so the money could be redirected into trains .. buses .. and
to growing the existing transport network.

State opposition transport spokeswoman GLADYS BEREJIKLIAN says the Auditor-General
hasn't identified a single cent out of the 356 million dollars spent .. that will actually
help the future of NSW public transport.

AAP RTV ab/klm/tm

KEYWORD: TRANSPORT NSW (SYDNEY)

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