The perennial election promise has cropped up for the third campaign on the trot, with the federal opposition transport spokesman delivering a $50 million election promise to reinstate a very fast train authority. 

Mr Albanese did not commit to a timeline or purchasing land in the rail corridor, declaring those decisions were matters for engineers and planners.  

“We'll establish a high speed rail authority this year, make sure it's funded to the tune of $50 million and make sure we progress this project,” Mr Albanese said.

“Two big capital (cities) under two hours by direct route would bring tourists to Wagga.

“Combined with the NBN, Wagga businesses would have an enormous competitive advantage over businesses in Sydney and Melbourne, due to lower cost structures establishing a business and housing the workforce. 

“You could enjoy the better lifestyle of this great regional city, but still travel to and from Sydney and Melbourne in a day trip with absolute ease.

“It would bring tourists here to Wagga from both Sydney and Melbourne.”

When Labor last announced a high speed rail plan – 12 days before the 2013 polling day – then deputy prime minister Anthony Albanese predicted trains could be operational by 2030.

Committee 4 Wagga, former deputy PM and Boree Creek farmer Tim Fischer, Wagga Business Chamber and Mayor Rod Kendall, have all sung the praises of a bullet train through the city.

Mayor Rod Kendall predicted high speed rail would transform Wagga, likening the ambitious project to the Snowy Mountains hydroelectricity scheme.

“We have the potential to co-locate the high-speed rail station and airport terminal, creating a passenger transport hub,” Cr Kendall said.

“I’ve heard of construction companies willing to build the high speed rail at no cost to government, but they need the government to ensure there won’t be any roadblocks.

“We need government to secure the corridor and and sign off on the environmental studies, to de-risk the construction.

“There’s too much risk until then, because you can’t move a high speed rail track or put a bend in it.”