- Bill to enable Cook Labor Government’s proposed rail freight buyback being introduced in Parliament
- Legislation establishes robust legal framework for the potential transaction
- Negotiations continue with Brookfield to buyback freight rail network
- Important step towards delivering major WA Labor election commitment and securing the long-term future of WA’s freight rail network
- Part of the Cook Labor Government’s commitment to supporting regional communities, local jobs, and a more resilient supply chain
The Cook Labor Government will this week introduce legislation to pave the way to bring the State’s freight rail network back into government control, furthering a key WA Labor election commitment.
While commercial negotiations with Brookfield continue to progress, the Rail Freight System (Acquisition and Reorganisation) Bill 2026 will provide the legal framework for the State Government to acquire the freight rail operation if it is economically and financially responsible to do so.
As part of a major 2025 election commitment, the Cook Labor Government announced it would commence negotiations with Brookfield to return the 5,500-kilometre freight rail network to public control after it was privatised by the Liberal-National Government in 2000.
The freight rail network is one of Western Australia’s most significant strategic infrastructure assets and bringing it back into public control will ensure it can meet the needs of a growing economy and freight demand.
Under the existing lease agreement, which has another 23 years to run, the State Government has little capacity to intervene to support key industries that make use of the State’s freight rail network or deliver important policy objectives.
Greater public control would allow for greater and more targeted government investment, and increase usage of the freight rail network, delivering significant benefits for industry, regional communities, and the economy.
A reliable freight rail network is central to the Cook Labor Government’s ongoing commitment to building a more resilient, safer and more efficient supply chain connecting mining, agricultural, and industrial regions with domestic and international markets.
Bringing the network back into public control would also better enable the rail network to meet the demand being driven by new resource projects and growth in output from the agriculture sector, supporting future WA jobs.
It would also help deliver cost savings for industry through more efficient movement of commodities to and from the State’s ports.
Importantly, it will help improve safety by reducing the wear and tear caused by trucks on local roads.
The government will continue to undertake comprehensive legal, commercial, financial, and technical assessments before making a final decision on the buyback.
Arc Infrastructure is continuing to operate the network under existing arrangements while further due diligence and negotiations to take place.
Any transaction will be designed to minimise disruption to Arc’s customers and staff, with the continued safe operation of the network the priority.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
“Over the 26 years of freight rail network private control, the Western Australian economy has grown and diversified significantly, with key industries relying on efficient freight connections more than ever before.
“As the freight task continues to grow, it’s important we consider how this critical infrastructure can best support industry, strengthen supply chains, and sustain jobs across the State.
“We need a freight network that is equipped to meet the demands of a growing population, a growing economy, and the industries that will drive Western Australia’s future prosperity.
“Our focus is on securing the long-term future of this critical piece of infrastructure for industry, regional communities, and future generations of Western Australians.”
As stated by Transport and Major Infrastructure Minister Rita Saffioti:
“Bringing the freight rail network into public control will mean more regional jobs, better support for our farmers and families, and less trucks on our regional roads.
“Since the Liberal Government recklessly decided to privatise the freight rail in 2000, regional communities have suffered the consequences.
“We’ve seen higher costs for our farmers, and local communities are fed up with the number of trucks on our regional roads.
“It’s just another example of Liberal privatisation gone wrong.
“This is all about supporting our regional communities and families, unlocking local jobs, delivering a more efficient freight network and continuing to support our State’s future economic growth.”
