Senator Nettle asked the Minister representing the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 2 April 2003:

(1) On what date did the Commonwealth, with other governments, invite initial expressions of interest for the provision of a high speed Sydney - Canberra train service.

(2) How many expressions of interest were received in response to this invitation for the provision of a high speed Sydney - Canberra train service.

(3) On what date did the Commonwealth, with other governments, invite six detailed expressions of interest for the provision of a high speed Sydney - Canberra train service.

(4) What were the speed ranges of each of the six initial proposals from those invited to submit tenders.

(5) (a) Given that four out of the six initial proposals for a Sydney - Canberra high speed train were for a tilt train service, why was a decision taken to have an east coast very high speed train study as opposed to an east coast high speed train study;

(b) Was this a decision of Parliament, Cabinet, the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, or the department (specify which one).

(6) How many tenders were received in response to invitations issued by the department to tender for phase 1 of the East Coast very high speed train study.

Senator Ian Macdonald (Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) —The Minister for Transport and Regional Services has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) The Commonwealth with other governments invited initial expressions of interest for the provision of a Sydney-Canberra high-speed train service on 08/03/97 and 11/03/97.

(2) There were a total of 14 expressions of interest received.

(3) The Commonwealth with other governments invited six detailed expressions of interest in October 1997. Four were received by 14 April 1998.

(4) The maximum speeds of the four proposals received were 200kph, 250kph, 320kph and 500kph.

(5) (a) The Government decided to undertake a very high speed train scoping study because, on the basis of the preceding Sydney-Canberra process, it had become clear that any new high speed rail transport system along east-coast corridors would have to provide a time-competitive alternative to air transport in order to secure sufficient patronage to be cost-effective and financially viable.

(b) This decision was taken by Cabinet.

(6) 14 tenders were received to undertake phase 1 of the East Coast very high-speed train scoping study.