The Australian Government has introduced legislation to Parliament to establish the High Speed Rail Authority.
The Authority will build on previous work including a comprehensive study that found High Speed Rail was not only viable, but would return over $2 for every $1 of investment.
Running along the East Coast from Brisbane to Melbourne, with stops in Canberra, Sydney and regional centres, a high-speed rail network could allow passengers to travel between major cities and key regional cities at speeds exceeding 250 km/h.
The Authority is designed to provide independent advice to governments on high speed rail planning and delivery, and will lead the coordination with states and territories.
The Authority will be overseen by a Board, drawn from experts in the rail and infrastructure sector.
Faster rail will continue under the Authority, with the functions of the National Faster Rail Agency absorbed into the Authority and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.
The first priority of the Authority will be planning and corridor works for the Sydney to Newcastle section of the high-speed rail network, backed by a $500 million commitment from the Australian Government.
This commitment will see corridor planning and early works progress in this fast-growing region of the east coast.
