Helen Coonan has a piece in the SMH today where she puts forward the excellent proposal that we should have a high speed train network up the east coast, and that this is the type of infrastructure that is badly needed in Australia.
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane would already have high-speed rail connections if Canberra policymakers spent as much time on trains as they do in the air.
Crucially, Australia’s increasing population requires urgent commitment to develop transport alternatives for our future sustainability. The unfortunately high number of deaths on the last long weekend demands a better transport alternative that is not only safer for those travelling long distances but also better for the environment.
Reducing our dependency on roads and petrol, while alleviating traffic jams, is just one reason why the government has to make high-speed rail a priority. If China, Spain and the US can transport people using high-speed trains, so should we.
But, of course, the obvious question is: why did you not do it when you were in power for those 11 years? Why did the government that you were part of squander the opportunity to build high-speed trains?
Oh that’s right, a deficit is bad… investing money (like the NBN) is bad for the country. Surpluses (more revenue than you spend) are good. Silly me.
Café Whispers 