The iconic Sydney fireworks now hang in the balance as rail strikes spark safety concerns for the thousands of revellers using public transport on New Year’s Eve.
Police Commissioner Karen Webb said she could not rule out cancelling the fireworks if 250,000 people who depend on public transport were unable to get home safely.
‘I have grave concerns,’ she told reporters in Sydney on Friday.
‘Each year, we police New Year’s Eve on the basis that 250,000 people can come into the city and then safely leave the city.
‘Leaving the city is based on access to transport, including trains.
‘And if trains aren’t available, and people can’t leave the city, I have very large concerns of the risk that will create to the public because families won’t be able to get home and they’ll be trapped in the city with no way out.
‘I haven’t ruled out that I will recommend to the government that we cancel the fireworks. It’s that serious.’
The major update comes after the Federal Court dismissed the NSW government’s technical argument trying to invalidate the industrial action on Thursday afternoon.
The iconic Sydney fireworks now hang in the balance as rail strikes spark safety concerns for the thousands of revellers using public transport on New Year’s Eve (last year’s are pictured)
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has threatened to cancel the fireworks show if its 250,000 spectators cannot get home safely afterwards amidst ongoing train strikes
Trains in the city were still running on Friday morning but some services were delayed or outright cancelled across the network.
Transport Minister Jo Haylen said the T4 Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra line were suffering the worst delays in an interview of 2GB.
‘We are being hit hard by the union’s industrial action … trains are running, they’re not running to timetable, unfortunately,’ Ms Haylen said.
‘We will continue to experience delays and cancellations, it’s likely to get worse throughout the day.’
Cancellations have been reported on the T3, T9, and T1 lines and all other lines have thus far faced delays.
The Minns government has confirmed that it will continue its attempt to block the strikes in court.
Officials have argued that the rail strikes should be suspended due to their damage to the state’s economy and the risk of public safety that has been caused.
The Fair Work Commission will hear the case on December 23 and Christmas Eve.
Premier Chris Minns has said his government will continue trying to suspend the strikes via court action after negotiations with the unions fell apart
As of Friday morning all trains across Sydney had reported delays and some lines had been outright cancelled
Premier Chris Minns said the state and the unions were still ‘miles apart’ in their negotiations.
‘I can’t promise that we will win those court cases, and I want to make it absolutely clear that even if we don’t win in the Fair Work Commission or through the court process, I cannot be dragged back to the negotiating table and pay an exorbitant amount of money with a blank cheque,’ Mr Minns said.
more to come
