WHERE IS THE AUSTRALIND? COOK GOVERNMENT LEAVES SOUTH WEST IN THE DARK

Media Release | 2 April 2026‍

‍Hon Steve Martin MLC
‍Shadow Minister for Transport; Ports; Communities

The Cook Labor Government must stop stalling and give South West communities a firm date for the return of the Australind train service - now off the rails for more than two years.

The Australind was shut down in November 2023 to accommodate the Armadale lineupgrade, with passengers promised a return by mid-2025.

That deadline came andwent, before the Cook Government pushed it out to "early 2026."It is now April 2026; fuel prices are skyrocketing due to the conflict overseas and SouthWest communities are still waiting.

Shadow Transport Minister Steve Martin said the continued delay, and the CookGovernment’s refusal to nominate a return date was unacceptable.

“The Armadale line reopened in October last year.

The new trains have been at Bellevuefor testing. Back in July 2025, the government said a return date would be announced‘soon’,” he said.

“That was nine months ago - what is the hold-up?”

Last Friday, Minister Saffioti posted a “first look” of the Australind on social media,showing a video of the train body - but again failed to mention an opening date.

“South West residents deserve more than another round of ‘coming soon.’

The Premier was asked on radio yesterday and still couldn’t say,” Mr Martin said.

“Is Minister Saffioti holding back the date for a Budget announcement, or does shesimply not know when the Australind will be ready?“

With fuel prices skyrocketing it’s no wonder residents are asking - ‘what’s going on?’

“It is well past time we heard a firm date from the Minister - or a clear explanation for the delay.”