Why are we still waiting for high-speed rail between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane?

A high-speed rail network would radically reduce emissions, connect regional and urban areas, create jobs and enhance investment. So why the hold-up?

With the government conducting a hearing into the benefits of high-speed rail last week, Labor's Anthony Albanese submitting a private member's bill to parliament, and former Liberal minister Andrew Robb supporting such a project, the time is right to approve and start building a much needed high-speed rail system in Australia that would link 60% of the population and slash our greenhouse gas emissions.

With the Turnbull government supposedly committed to tackling climate change head on, and with the prime minister embracing technology, innovation and disruption, high-speed rail is a zero-emissions form of transport that would radically reduce our emissions, connect our regional and urban areas, create jobs and enhance investment.