An $80 million federal pledge has been made for the business case behind the Sydney-Newcastle high-speed rail line.

This funding, part of a broader $500 million commitment by the Albanese government, will allow the High-Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) to develop a business case, including outlining the proposed route, station locations, train types, and crucially, the cost and timeframe of the project. 

The speed at which this project has been progressing - or rather, not progressing - has raised eyebrows and concerns.

The HSRA, formed last June, took seven months to appoint its CEO, Timothy Parker. This delay was criticised by the Greens’ transport spokesperson Elizabeth Watson-Brown as “pretty insulting to Australians”. 

Community advocacy group Committee for the Hunter has called for immediate improvements to the existing rail line, highlighting the scrapping of a $1.5 billion upgrade between Tuggerah and Wyong. 

The Sydney-Newcastle link, once a two-and-a-half-hour journey, could be slashed to a mere 45 minutes. 

Federal Transport Minister Catherine King remains optimistic, highlighting the project's potential for job creation and redeployment of workers from various industries.