This is despite the government already trying that approach in 2014, when two business expressed an interest.

The process was scrapped because, according to Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward “.. they wanted us to pay for all of the infrastructure work and then pay them to run it”.

Wollongong MP Paul Scully said Labor would put $50 million on the table to get the ball rolling and then look to the private sector to build the 35-kilometre rail line.

Mr Scully said there “absolutely” were private sector companies keen to come on board.

“Every time Ryan [Park – Keira MP], myself or Sharon [Bird – federal Cunningham MP] talk about the Maldon-Dombarton and the need to build that we have people telling us there are companies and consortiums that would be keen on being involved in a process that would result in the construction of that rail link,” Mr Scully said.

Since the scrapping of the 2014 call for expression of interest, Mr Scully claimed the government has little interest in building the line.

“They’ve only been interested in kicking the can down the road and avoiding the issue completely,” he said,  “despite the fact that people like the member for Kiama and the member for Wollondilly have both expressed their support for getting it sorted out.”

The government’s Freight and Ports Plan said the line was not needed now as there was “sufficient rail capacity in the short to medium term”.

Mr Scully said Labor would allow a private consortium involved in building the line to charge users – and added it did not fly in the face of party opposition to placing tolls on roads.

“That’s a standing operating practice with regard to freight rail,” he said.

“Users of rail lines are paying all the time, whether it be passenger or freight. That’s a part of that arrangement, it’s not a toll it’s a usage charge.”