THE WA state government has introduced legislation to establish the legal framework for a potential buyback of Western Australia’s freight rail network, advancing a major 2025 election commitment and setting up one of the state’s most significant transport‑infrastructure reforms in decades.
The Rail Freight System (Acquisition and Reorganisation) Bill 2026 will allow the State to acquire the network from Arc Infrastructure, owned by Brookfield Infrastructure, if commercial negotiations confirm the move is economically and financially responsible.
The network was privatised 25 years ago for $585 million, with the current lease still having 23 years to run .
Premier Roger Cook said public control would correct a “reckless and dangerous” decision made in 1999 and enable safer, more resilient supply chains. “More freight on rail means less trucks on the road and more opportunities across the economy,” he said.
Arc Infrastructure has invested more than $2 billion in the network since 2000, with freight volumes rising from 30 million tonnes to 51 million tonnes over that period. The 5,000‑kilometre network carries iron ore, alumina, nickel, grain and containers, and employs about 500 people.
Transport minister Rita Saffioti said the privatisation deal had “not stood the test of time”, leaving the state and rail users with limited rights under the lease.
She said the enabling legislation was essential before any commercial outcome could be negotiated.
Major rail user CBH Group told Business News it strongly backed the move. Chief executive Ben Macnamara said the buyback would allow pricing competitive with the east coast and align the interests of the network’s owner and users. He cited three priorities — track performance, sustained investment and fair pricing — and when asked if CBH had faced price gouging and substandard track, he replied: “yes”.
The Chamber of Minerals and Energy, also talking to Business News, welcomed the legislation, with chief executive Aaron Morey describing the network as “absolutely critical” to WA’s resources sector.
Opposition Leader Shane Love previously labelled the buyback a “hollow promise”, while EY has been awarded a $1.7 million advisory contract to support the process.
Despite uncertainty around ownership, Arc Infrastructure continues to work with government on upgrades, including a 77‑kilometre improvement between Mingenew and Carnamah, jointly funded by the state and federal governments ($45 million) and Arc ($22 million).
The government says any buyback would be designed to minimise disruption to Arc’s customers and staff, with safe network operations remaining the priority.