Today's threats from Tony Abbott to axe funding for Perth's rail projects, slash public service jobs, and rip billions in aid from the world's poorest people shows people must vote Greens in the Senate to maintain checks and balances.

"In the event of a Coalition Government it is crucial that one party doesn't get total control of Parliament, and Mr Abbott certainly reminded us of that today with his drastic cuts," said Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam.

Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam has moved to reveal details of Colin Barnett's rail plans today through a set of Federal Freedom of Information requests after the Premier blocked attempts to uncover relevant documents for the second time.

Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam today described Tony Abbott's vow to axe Federal funding for rail projects, including $500 million for WA, as "deliberate public transport vandalism".

"After five years, Premier Colin Barnett finally got on board with the Greens Light Rail proposal. Then the Federal Government committed half a billion dollars. Now Tony Abbott is threatening the lot.

"Perth commuters are desperate for alternatives to traffic jams and rising petrol costs. We have solutions in sight, but not if Tony Abbott is Prime Minister.

An investigation exposing staff shortages and inadequate training in the State's rail system highlights the need to boost State funding and protect Federal funding from proposed cuts, the Greens said today.

Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said Tony Abbott has vowed to abolish Federal funding for urban rail if elected.

The Greens have called on Tony Abbott to withdraw his threat to all urban rail funding while the Barnett Government and Canberra bicker over which parts of Perth should be served by light rail.

Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said that arguments over an extra 7km of light rail line paled by comparison to the Federal Coalition's plan to abolish urban rail funding.

The Barnett Government must reveal the details of their Federal transport funding requests in the wake of Troy Buswell's admission that the Commonwealth will need to pay more than half the cost of the Liberals' promised big transport projects, the Greens said today.

On February 7th Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam attempted to uncover the details of the State's light rail funding application to Infrastructure Australia, only to be told they were confidential.

A move by Greens Senator for WA Scott Ludlam to have the Federal Government disclose Troy Buswell's attempts to secure federal funding for Perth light rail was defeated by Labor and the Coalition in the Senate today.

Senator Ludlam moved to have the documents made public after Mr Buswell refused to commit to building light rail in Perth and refused to reveal costings.  The Federal Government revealed today that the State Government asked that the details of their application be kept secret.

Greens Senator Scott Ludlam has moved to have the Federal Government disclose Troy Buswell's attempts to secure federal funding for light rail in Perth, after the State Transport Minister refused commit to building the system.

Greens (WA) transport spokesperson Lynn MacLaren MLC will move a similar motion in State Parliament when it resumes after the March election.

"Tomorrow I will move that the Senate orders the production of the West Australian government's submissions to Infrastructure Australia for the Perth Light Rail project," said Senator Ludlam.

Local government should be recognised in the Constitution to help secure federal funding for councils to maintain safer roads and build sustainable transport, said Australian Greens transport spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon in her speech to the National Local Roads and Transport Congress in Hobart today.  Full speech below.

"A referendum on constitutional recognition of local government at the next federal election is necessary to secure federal funding for local councils to maintain safer roads and create sustainable transport options," Senator Rhiannon said.

The Barnett Government's failure to include project funding for light rail in the State budget shows a lack of foresight, the WA Greens said today.

The Greens national spokesperson for transport, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, questioned whether the Barnett Government took the promise it made 18 months ago to bring light rail to Perth within a decade seriously.