Lee Kernaghan Calls Out Government On Train Safety

Country singer Lee Kernaghan is using his platform for good by broadcasting the need for train lighting standards via a government petition. 

In a social media post, he tagged political leaders such as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Queensland Premier Steven Miles, discussing the lack of lighting on major freight lines and its devastating consequences. 

According to statistics from Kernaghan’s post, 80% of level railway crossings throughout Australia do not have active protection, such as lights or boom gates, to notify drivers and pedestrians.

This has reportedly led to a whopping 322 collisions, causing 39 fatalities and 49 critical injuries. Kernaghan cited in the post how these railway incidents had hit close to home, being from a country town:

“Twenty-four years ago, I performed a concert out in the wheatbelt of WA and dedicated the show to the memory of three young Australians who were killed at a level crossing collision. Christian Jensen, Hilary Smith and Jess Broad were on their way to a 21st birthday party when, at 6.05 pm, they were hit by a 28-waggon loaded grain train in the dark. They could not see the train. Trains are not regulated to have lights.

“Twenty-four years later, the families of these young people are still fighting with government departments to turn this horrific tragedy into the catalyst for a change in laws which will undoubtedly save the lives of other Australians living in the bush.”

Local Member for Noth West Central Merome Beard commented on the call-out post:

“Thank you for your support of this important petition, Lee Kernaghan, and for being a strong advocate and voice in support of the bush, our regional communities and Lara Jensen, Merrilea Broad and their small and dedicated group of family and friends who have been fighting for common sense to prevail for many years and have been unwavering in their quest for improved rail safety.”

Others commented on how they lived near or worked for freight lines and could not see the trains at night, even from across the road. Many rural community members urged safety implementations. 

The petition referenced by Kernaghan aims to make rotating frontal beacon lights and side lighting compulsory for trains and rolling stock.

To support the cause, the petition can be found here. 

Earlier this month, Lee Kernaghan kicked off the campaign for his forthcoming album with Who I Am, a collaboration with James Johnston.

Who I Am was co-written by Johnston and Kernaghan alongside Colin Buchanan and Nick Wolfe (of The Wolfe Brothers) and comes as Kernaghan’s first headlined release in five years, following his career-defining 2019 album Backroad Nation.

Last month, Kernaghan expanded his upcoming Boys From The Bush national tour, adding new dates in New South Wales and Queensland. He also hinted at his highly anticipated new album, revealing that he’s been working on new music: “It feels fantastic to be back in the studio, and I’m really excited to be playing some of the new songs for the first time on the national tour.

“There’s been a lot of water under the bridge since the last record, and country music just seems to be getting better and more popular each year.”