2016-04-11
Welcome aboard high speed rail, PM Turnbull
The Greens have welcomed reports that the Prime Minister has foreshadowed plans to progress east coast High Speed Rail, and urged Mr Turnbull to commit to action on this transformative project.
“High speed rail’s time has come, but Australia needs courage and vision to get it moving,” said Australian Greens Senator Janet Rice, spokesperson for transport and infrastructure.
“The Greens welcome a robust discussion about smart ways to capture the benefit that land owners achieve from this type of transport infrastructure development, including through the use of land taxes.
“Former PM Abbott had little interest in clean 21st Century transport and instead pushed the barrow of more polluting toll roads. We need to see some real commitment by Mr Turnbull, not just another pre-election grab at a headline.”
The Greens have pushed the debate on high speed rail over successive terms in parliament. As part of the agreement to support the minority Labor government in 2010, the Australian Greens secured a $20 million feasibility study into high speed rail. That feasibility study demonstrated that high speed rail will cut pollution, enhance business and passenger transport, and generate positive economic returns.
Media contact: Sam Drummond 0400 352 935