Enough Is Enough: Minister Must Step In To Stop Rail Chaos

The Coalition today called on the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Murray Watt, to immediately intervene in the ongoing industrial action disrupting New South Wales’ rail network by invoking section 431 of the Fair Work Act 2009.

The rail chaos, which has left Sydney commuters stranded and businesses reeling, is inflicting significant harm on the economy and endangering public welfare. Everyday Australians who are just trying to get on with their lives, getting to and from work, study and medical appointments.

Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Senator Michaelia Cash said: ”This dispute has gone on long enough and the Albanese Labor Government has done nothing to help bring about a resolution.’’

“The people of NSW have been held to ransom for far too long. Minister Watt should have intervened months ago,’’ Senator Cash said.

“The Albanese Labor Government changed the Fair Work Act to give their union mates almost unlimited power and unions are now emboldened to threaten essential public services like this,’’ she said.

“Minister Watt must act now. The sustained industrial action orchestrated by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) and the Electrical Trades Union is not just an inconvenience; it is a deliberate act of economic vandalism,” Senator Kovacic said.

“This disruption is hitting small businesses, choking productivity, and putting an already struggling NSW economy further into turmoil.”

The protracted dispute, which saw Sydney’s rail network grind to a halt once again today, has prompted widespread outrage from commuters and businesses. Just last month, similar industrial action left commuters stranded during severe lightning storms and flash flooding, further demonstrating reckless disregard for public welfare.

Reports indicate that a union representative has encouraged members to “f**k the network up,” making it clear that this industrial action is not about good-faith negotiations, but about holding public assets to ransom for exorbitant wage demands.

“This is an extraordinary situation, and it demands extraordinary action,” Senator Kovacic said.

“Section 431 of the Fair Work Act 2009 gives Minister Watt the power to step in and terminate industrial action that threatens public welfare or causes significant economic damage. If this dispute does not meet that threshold, I don’t know what does.”

With a $200 billion debt forecast by mid-2028 under the Minns Labor Government, and NSW already facing years of budget repair, granting excessive pay increases to the RBTU will only deepen New South Wales’ financial crisis.

“Federal and NSW state Labor have repeatedly failed to control their union masters; prioritising union demands over Australians struggling through the worst cost-of-living crisis in recent history.”

"Enough is enough. It is clear that the Minns Labor Government has lost control of our rail network, and everyday Australians are paying the price. It is time for the Federal Government to step in and put an end to this economic vandalism,” Senator Kovacic said.