The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has once again called for the return of a passenger train service to Mildura, using debate on the Transport Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 to highlight the lack of public transport options available in the region.
Speaking in Parliament, Ms Benham said she would continue to push for the reinstatement of passenger rail services for the northwest.
“Since I was elected, I’ve been banging on about the return of the passenger train to Mildura and I’ll keep doing it,” Ms Benham said.
Ms Benham said she had been actively meeting with key stakeholders across the rail sector, including the Rail Freight Alliance and the Rail Revival Alliance, to explore practical pathways to restore the service.
“I love when people come to me with not just a problem, but a solution,” she said. “That’s exactly what the Rail Revival Alliance and the Rail Freight Alliance have done, and I thank them for their ongoing contribution.”
Ms Benham also noted the recent launch of a parliamentary petition by the Northwest Rail Alliance, led by Mildura’s Deputy Mayor and a former independent MP, now aligning with the Greens.
“For a group claiming to be apolitical, it’s interesting to see their petition sponsored not by their local member, nor by any Northern Victoria MPs, but by the member for Melbourne from the Greens,” Ms Benham said.
“I just think it would’ve been appropriate to at least meet with their local MP, who’s also been campaigning hard to bring the train back.”
Ms Benham said she and her team were continuing to develop ideas and work with organisations genuinely focused on finding solutions.
“We’re actively looking at realistic solutions to get Mildura connected again. Ultimately, it’s about fairness for our region.”
