What should Australians aspire for?" High-Speed Rail (HSR) linking Australia's major eastern cities.

Article 1 of the "We the People Series"

Welcome back to "We the People." As election day nears, our first deep dive tackles a truly transformative idea: High-Speed Rail (HSR) linking Australia's major eastern cities.

Imagine gliding between Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane in just a few hours. Think sleek, modern bullet trains knitting our nation closer. Countries like China, Japan, and many in Europe haven't just imagined it; they've built vast networks, reaping huge economic and social rewards. China, with trains capable of speeds nearing 450 km/h on some lines, now has over 45,000 km of HSR track, fundamentally changing their economy.

Why Does HSR Matter Now More Than Ever?

1. Economic Powerhouse: HSR isn't just convenient; it's a catalyst for growth. Slashing travel times boosts business productivity & movement of cargo, fuels tourism, and revitalises regional centres along the route.

2. Building Resilience: Recent global trade tensions, like the newly announced tariffs, highlight the risks of over-reliance on single economies. Strengthening our internal economic engine via HSR is vital. It connects our own markets, fosters domestic trade, and makes us less vulnerable to external shocks.

3. Real Job Mobility: This isn't theoretical. During a visit to China, I saw people routinely commuting 500, even up to 1000 kilometres, for work thanks to HSR. Imagine the possibilities here: living in an affordable regional hub while accessing jobs in a major city. This dramatically expands opportunities and helps balance our labour market.

4. Local Industry Boost: Building HSR demands Australian steel, concrete, technology, engineering, and labour stimulating local manufacturing, supporting SMEs, and creating thousands of skilled jobs right here.

5. Greener Travel: Efficient electric trains offer a significantly lower-emission alternative to short-haul flights and endless car journeys.

The Time Saving is Real:

Think about flying between Sydney and Melbourne now. It's not just the 1.5-hour flight. You need roughly an hour to get to the airport, at least an hour for check-in and security, and often another hour travelling from the destination airport to the city centre. That’s easily 4-5 hours door-to-door. With HSR stations typically right in the city centre, a potential Sydney-Melbourne journey time of around 3 hours becomes a game-changer.

The Big Question:

We have the need and the capability. Cost and political cycles are hurdles, yes. But is the challenge genuinely too big, or is our national ambition simply not bold enough?

What We Need to Ask:

This election, let's demand specifics from our worthy leaders:

• What is your concrete, funded plan for East Coast High-Speed Rail?

• How will you leverage this project to build Australian industrial strength and economic independence?

• Will you commit to the long-term vision needed for nation-building infrastructure?

HSR is more than tracks and trains; it's a commitment to a faster, closer, greener, and more resilient Australia, ready to compete and thrive.

We the People must insist on this vision. Let's demand infrastructure that matches our aspirations.