Pro rail lobby group Save Our Rail invited candidates to speak about transport issues at a public forum on Wednesday night. 

All candidates who attended the forum had previously spoken publicly in support of retaining the heavy rail line into Newcastle CBD.

Independent Philip Penfold, Labor candidate Jenny Aitchison and the Greens’ John Brown attended the event.

New Christian Democratic Party candidate Anna Balfour did not attend, but sent the party’s Newcastle candidate Milton Caine to represent her regarding her position on the rail.

Liberal candidate Steve Thomson sent a letter of apology for not attending, which Save Our Rail Maitland president Kim Cross read to the meeting.

Cr Penfold said the government’s move to start the truncation despite a Supreme Court injunction was a contemptuous political strategy. 

He questioned why work to cut the line had begun before the replacement light rail infrastructure had been approved.

Cr Penfold said Maitland needed more public transport services in general.

“We need more regular services at peak times, that’s obviously necessary,” he said.

Mr Brown, who addressed the meeting next, said he had a personal interest in the rail line because he travelled to work at the Newcastle Herald on the train for 20 years at all times of day and night. 

“I would describe this whole issue as a disgrace. It will go down in NSW politics as an absolute disgrace,” he said.

“I see this proposal of light rail as a smoke screen – let’s just say it’s unlikely to appear in my lifetime if ever.”

Mr Caine said that money saved by not truncating the rail could be spent on Maitland Hospital. 

“The government’s responsibility is to care for the most vulnerable,” he said.

“At the present time, Anna is caring for a vulnerable person with diabilities, that’s why she can’t be here.

“She is fully supporting the full restoration of the track to Newcastle.” 

Ms Aitchison, who was the final speaker, said she supported retaining the heavy rail line but the transport debate should also consider transport needs in Maitland’s west. 

She said Labor was the party that began working towards the revitalisation of Newcastle.

“We were the ones that started moves to get the court house there, the $25 million for that, and the university,” Ms Aitchison said.

“We started the move to a service based area in Newcastle.”