A “PIG-HEADED” Prime Minister Tony Abbott has ­rejected the State Government’s offer to support an ­extension of the Gold Coast light rail, without reviewing its business model.

Just six weeks after telling Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk he would consider funding the tram-to-train connection as an addition to the nation’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games commitment, the besieged PM has slammed the door on the must-have project.

The move ­pot­entially dooms any hopes of completing the connection before the 2018 Games and means the State Government and Gold Coast City Council could be forced to go it alone.

POLLIES TRADE BLOWS OVER LIGHT RAIL FUNDS

Light rail wins and fails media_camera The car stuck on the light rail bridge over Nerang River in Southport being lifted by a crane, Gold Coast. Picture: Regi Varghese 1 of 15 media_camera An elderly woman's car had to be lifted off the light rail bridge with a crane after she became confused and drove onto the tracks. 2 of 15 media_camera The trams arrive by light rail for the first time in Broadbeach. Picture Glenn Hampson 3 of 15 media_camera The light rail boosts property sales along its route. Duro and Petra Jovinovic just bought in Britannia Sunset at Broadbeach. Photo: Kit Wise 4 of 15 nav_small_close Want to see more?( 11 more photos in collection )Continue to full gallery nav_small_left nav_small_right

In a letter to Ms Palaszczuk this week, Mr Abbott said the only way the project would gain federal support was for the state to sell assets, a concept rejected by both Labor and the LNP Opposition.

“As you know it is our clear position that Commonwealth funding does not go directly to commuter rail,’’ Mr Abbott wrote.

“Our focus on roads and freight also means your Government has greater capacity to direct funding to state- owned and operated infrastructure such as the light rail.

“The Government’s focus is on repairing the budget.”

media_camera Gold Coast Light rail has been a big success since it first began operating. Picture by Scott Fletcher

Mr Abbott vowed to consider the funding matter after meeting with Ms Palaszczuk during the Council of Australian Governments meeting in July.

A furious Deputy Premier Jackie Trad last night slammed Mr Abbott as “pig-headed” and said his stance was “completely disrespectful to the people of the Gold Coast”.

“This is inconsistent with what the Prime Minister said to our Premier and it is a slap in the face for all Gold Coast residents,” she said.

“The Prime Min­ister is being pig-headed and to call for asset sales when, for two state elections, Queenslanders have said no.

“This is completely disrespectful to the people of the Gold Coast.”

media_camera Deputy Premier Jackie Trad saw light at the end of the tunnel in regards to funding for stage 2 but says she is furious at Mr Abbott’s backflip. picture Glenn Hampson

Ms Trad said federal support was needed to get the project off the ground, and lob­bying efforts would continue.

The State Government and Mayor Tom Tate had already come to an agreement to commit funding in a bid to deliver the system by 2018.

Councillors were expected to discuss the matter on Tuesday at the first budget meeting of the financial year.

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