Australia’s PM promises important railway link in election run-up

In order to carry into second term, Prime Minister Julia Gillard must win marginal mortgage belt seats in Sydney and Melbourne, and marginal seats in Queensland and Western Australia. The opposition is enjoying a lead in Western Australia, after Labour plan to introduce a mining tax on iron ore and coal mines. Labour is leading with a better advantage in Queensland.

Defeat for Labour would see its proposed tax on profits of mining companies scrapped by the opposition, along with plans to introduce carbon-trading and build a $43 billion fast broadband network.

On Labour’s biggest promise of a 14km transport link for rail services in Sydney, Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said "This is an important project for Sydney that links two major economic hubs (of the city) that will have a transformative impact on Sydney,"

Gillard and Abbott are scheduled to address a public forum of some 200 voters in western Sydney on Wednesday night in an effort to sway swing voters. Gillard is expected to announce the rail deal later on Wednesday.

Gillard has retained a strong advantage of 49% as preferred prime minister, against Tony Abbott’s 34%. The two are at the same level in Queensland.

Labour won in 2007 with 52.7 percent of the vote against 47.3 for the conservatives.

The Conservative opposition holds 49% in the Newspoll, which also showed a significant gap of support between states.