Melbourne has been the leader in light rail for decades, and now the rest of Australia is catching up! So why have we suddenly got tram fever?

What is with all the light rails?

Two state politicians have been caught on camera mocking a reporter for asking them tough questions about an expensive new project.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Transport Minister Andrew Constance were giving a press conference in Newcastle before the completion of the city’s new tram line late last week.

But Michael Parris, a reporter from the Newcastle Herald, called them out on the $368 million project, asking how the light rail would impact trade in the area.

“You committed four years ago to release a business case for the extension — we still have not seen it,” Parris said.

Mr Constance replied: “Ah well, sorry which media outlet are you from?”

When Parris said he was from the Herald, Ms Berejiklian said: “Yeah, that’s normal for them, yep. That’s just, that’s just Operation Normal, yeah, yeah, yeah,” and laughed while Mr Constance smirked.

Dodging the original question, Mr Constance replied: “I just hope you have a little bit of a positive outlook on today because it’s a wonderful outcome for the city and you know it’s great news for everyone.”

The Herald reporter took another stab: “You talk about a positive outcome, but as we rode the tram today, the streets were virtually empty and you keep talking about revitalisation and that’s not the message we are getting from business people in the town.”

Ms Berejiklian fired back, questioning his background research. “Have you spoken to the Hunter Business Chamber?” she asked.

Parris said that, not only had he spoken to the Chamber, but also to “countless” business owners along the light rail route.

Ms Berejiklian then went silent and stared at the ground, with Mr Constance jumping in to fill the space.

“Mate, just let me say this to you, since we’ve taken the heavy rail up there’s been $3 billion of private sector investment in this city … everyone across this state — even in Bega — is talking about what’s happening in Newcastle.

“You’ve got a city to be proud of, and, you know what, I think there’s an obligation on the part of the Herald to be very positive about this town, because it is a wonderful, wonderful place. I just hope the Herald sees that.”

And with that, the presser is over, and Ms Berejiklian looks extremely relieved:

The footage has since been widely shared on Twitter, with social media users slamming the pollies’ responses as a “train wreck” and an “utter disgrace”.

Other than commenting on the numpty noddy at the back...



I saw the plans for the removal of heavy rail from Newie almost 20 years ago and, well there was no plan, just a politically expedient cause. And the politicians just reinforced that today.



What an utter disgrace. — Zachsdadanton (@Zachsdadanton1) February 20, 2019

Train wreck.

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤪 — Thechachi (@Thechachi1) February 20, 2019

So disappointing that our premier would choose to dismiss and mock a journo and paper rather than answering a very legitimate question. It has been almost impossible to vote Labor in NSW, given their history of corruption, but this kind of arrogance makes it much easier. — Peter Rich (@Gowoody) February 20, 2019

In December, a NSW Auditor-General’s report concluded the cost of the tram was not justified by “conventional cost-benefit analysis”, The Herald reported.

“There was no business case or other preliminary planning work done before this announcement,” the report said.

“This is important for transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.”

The report noted a business case had been prepared belatedly, but the document had not been released publicly.