Let’s get the rail link rolling

Australia must invest in its future beyond the mining boom, as Malcolm Turnbull rightly points out.

Agriculture can lead the way, but new infrastructure is needed to reduce east coast supply chain costs and cope with looming bottlenecks from forecast tripling of freight demand in the next 40 years.

Production costs have to fall to capitalise on growing Asian markets.

The inland rail would generate increased competition among ports and freight companies, driving down prices for producers and spur new investment into ailing up-country rail lines and roads.

The Land will campaign in the lead-up to the May federal Budget to demand our leaders deliver the funds needed to put farmers on the right track.