Kevin Rudd pushes plans for east coast high speed rail by 2035
Any future Labor government will legislate to preserve a 1750 kilometre rail corridor between Brisbane and Melbourne, Kevid Rudd announced today.
He has pledged $52 million over the next four years for the business case and market testing.
He says he will establish a high speed rail authority within six months to manage to the project.
They concede there isn't the money to buy the all the required land at the moment but it will enable a start.
"If you build it by 2035 you would spend less than Abbott's irresonsible paid parental leave scheme," Rudd told a press conference.
The high speed rail which will involve property resumptions could lead to property speculation and investment if it ever sees the light of day.
Tony Abbott says his first term focus will be on roads.
It would take just two hours and 44 minutes to travel between Sydney and Melbourne on the proposed line and then another two hours and 37 minutes to Brisbane.
It would cost an estimated $114 billion to build.
