-It's the biggest nation-building project... -New infrastructure of the 21st century.

-If there is a buzz word in this budget it's "nation building."

-Major infrastructure projects right around the country.

-Real projects, real money.

-A transformational vision for the infrastructure of the 21st century.

-I want to be known as the Infrastructure Prime Minister.

-This is nation building, budget building... -Nation building for recovery.

-Comes from the nation-building program.

-Nation building.

-Nation building.

-Nation building.

-Morning.

-Hi!

-Morning!

-Morning.

[ Indistinct conversations ] -Yeah, he's totally loving the south, and he would've stayed longer, but now he's totally loving Barcelona.

-Sorry, who's this?

-Jules.

You remember -- he used to work here.

-No.

-In auditing.

-Downstairs, Jules?

Motorbike Jules.

-Oh, yeah.

-Yeah.

-Um, I reckon we should probably make a start?

-Okay.

-Yep.

-Sure.

-Oh, dear.

-We've got to work out who's called a meeting before we hold one.

-I'm pretty sure it was Lachie.

-And I'm pretty sure Lachie left two weeks ago.

-I guess no one thought to cancel his meeting.

-Should we call him?

-Who?

-Lachie.

-Why?

-To find out what he wanted to talk about?

-No.

-Colored tabs.

Brilliant.

-Yeah, yeah.

-I love it.

-Just on what I was saying, though -- some of those precincts -- The exact use of the precincts have been not locked in.

-Yeah.

Precincts.

It's a good word, isn't it?

"Precinct."

-Yeah, yeah.

So, it could be, like, tertiary education or research.

-Possibly like an "Education Precinct."

-Yeah.

-Or a Research Precinct.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, this is just the type of nation building we're looking for.

And will the whole thing a hub?

-Uh, parts of it could be down the track, yeah.

-It's a good word, too.

"Hub."

-Yep.

-Could some of the precincts be a hub?

-Sure.

-Like a Research Hub.

-Yeah, well, we'll certainly keep it handy.

-Ooh, what's this?

Poly-centric cities?

-Why don't we pop that down for a second?

-Well, I just want to get the "story."

You know, get the flavor.

-Right.

Well, overall, we're calling it an "inner urban revitalization project."

-Oh, wow.

Can I just borrow the -- -Sure.

-Yep.

-It's all in the briefing notes.

-Yeah, I just like to hear it myself.

"Hub."

"Hub."

-Actually, let's skip blue.

Let's go onto green.

-Green.

And what figure are we putting on it?

-Well, there's financials in the folder.

-Just a rough guide.

Again, I just like to hear it.

-Oh, $6 billion or $7 billion.

-So let's make it $10 billion.

Can I have your pen again?

-Sure.

There's a whole spreadsheet at the back of the folder.

-Just a conversation starter.

They'll love this.

-Not at $10 billion.

-Yeah.

But they will have one question at the end.

-Is it feasible?

-No.

Why would they ask that?

-'Cause they've got to okay it.

-Oh, they'll okay it.

No, this'll be old news.

They'll ask, "What's next?"

-Can we just see this one through first?

-Yeah, okay, I see what your problem is here.

-I don't have a problem.

-They okay the scheme.

They unveil the scheme.

-Mm-hmm.

-What's next?

-We get to work.

I mean, the whole project will take at least five years.

-Five years?

The calendar on my phone doesn't go even go five years.

-I thought we said we were gonna be about the long term.

-But they need to come up with another announcement now.

After this, cupboard's bare.

-I'm not sure that's our problem.

So, what's Nation Building Australia... -Authority.

-...got up its sleeve next?

-Phew.

That's a pretty big question.

-I'll give you a tip.

Transport.

-Sorry?

-I didn't say anything.

-No, I literally didn't hear what you said.

-Oh, transport.

-What about it?

-That's your next project.

-What aspect?

-Any aspect.

Blank sheet, blue sky.

See you in Canberra.

-Tony?

-Yeah?

-Have you got a moment?

I just want to run through the codes.

-Why are we going through this again?

-The office Safety Audit.

-Oh, yeah.

-Now, as you can see, long beeps indicates an imminent emergency.

-Right.

-Like, "Beeep, beeep."

-Right, I get it, yep.

-Now, that could mean fire, chemical spill, or natural disaster.

-Not likely.

Yep.

-And then there's the Whoop Whoop.

-Oh, okay.

-Like, "Whooop!

Whoooop!"

-And what does that denote?

-Imminent threat, like terrorist attack.

-Yeah, yeah, not likely.

-They also link through to your phone, so that will go off as well.

-And what denotes parking officers in the vicinity?

-Uh... Joke?

-I'm going to go "whoop whoop" next time so you know.

-It's a good idea, though.

-Okay, yeah.

-Knock-knock?

Tony?

-Yeah -Rhonda wanted you to have this.

-Oh great, thanks.

Uh, thanks.

Katie?

Who was that who just gave me the folder?

-Nick.

-Nick?

Who's Nick?

-He took over from Laura.

-Who's Laura?

-She replaced Tim.

-What does Nick do?

-Same thing Laura and Tim did.

I'll organize a spreadsheet.

-Yeah.

Or name tags.

♪♪ -Morning, Amy.

-Hi.

Oh, did you get that list of emergency codes?

-Was that the "whoop whoop," "beep beep" thing?

-Yeah, 'cause we need to have a practice drill this week.

-Sure.

-Oh, and when you get a chance, can you sign this?

-What is it?

-Bec's going away card.

-Oh.

When does she leave?

-Friday.

I'm organizing a cake.

-Morning, Nat.

-Morning.

Hugh?

-Hi.

-Don't look now, but over next to Michael's desk -- I just said don't look now.

-Sorry.

-Who's that new girl?

-Can I look now?

I think it's "Ingrid."

-Ingrid.

Right.

-Um, looks like -- Oh.

All good, thanks.

-Um, all going well, Ingrid?

-It's Rahjee.

-Sorry.

Rahjee, of course.

-That's Ingrid.

-That's -- Yep, that's -- Yep.

Yep.

I thought you said Ingrid.

-Yeah, that's Ingrid.

-No, the other new girl.

-Oh, Rahjee?

-Yes.

Rahjee.

-Jim?

Tony.

-All set?

-Yep.

I'm on the 6:00 a.m.

flight.

-So, what have you come up with?

-What do you mean?

-The transport initiative.

-You only mentioned it yesterday.

-Ah, let's strike while we're hot.

-Alright, I did go through a bunch of projects last night.

-Yes?

-Ranked them as "most needed," "best bang for buck."

That sort of thing, yeah.

-Great.

Great.

-And there is one area with some potential.

I mean, on a national scale.

-Oh, hang on a sec.

Let me pull over 'cause I want to write this down.

-Okay.

-Can I just borrow a pen?

-Oh, God.

-What's wrong?

-Bec's card.

People are writing essays.

Who's "Emma"?

-Our Processing Officer.

She just started.

-Then how's she managed to write half a paragraph about someone she's barely met?

-I think she got that off WikiQuotes.

-You know what?

I'm just gonna write, "Goodbye, good luck, and have fun."

-Oh.

She's leaving to look after her Mum.

Alzheimer's.

-Okay.

-Alright.

Head and shoulders above the rest.

-Yes.

-Under "Rail."

-Oh, I am loving this already, yep.

-A complete upgrade to the National Freight Network, starting Melbourne to Brisbane.

Like gauge convertible concrete sleepers, upgraded crossings, increase tonnages on the -- Jim?

You there?

Oh, shit.

-No, I'm here.

Must have driven into a black spot.

-I thought you said you were pulled over?

Jim?

-Yeah, you know what?

Let's have a chat in the morning.

-Okay.

♪♪♪ -Don't get me wrong, I love the dream.

-It's not a "dream," Jim.

-Well, the thought bubble.

-No, it's not a thought -- It's a practical proposal, a complete upgrade of Australia's rail freight network.

-Now, that's the word I've got a problem with.

-"Complete"?

-No.

-"Upgrade"?

-"Freight."

-What's the problem with freight?

-Has the train got any people?

-No.

-Apart from the driver, I guess.

-What about the passengers?

-There are no passengers.

-What have you got against people?

-Nothing.

-Then let 'em on board.

-It's a freight line!

-Why?

-Jim, there are so many advantages to a freight.

-Are you having continental or cooked?

-Just an orange juice and a bit of toast.

-And for you?

-A croissant.

-Absolutely.

-Thanks.

-It takes thousands of trucks off the roads, massive savings on repairs.

There are no restrictions on travel times.

It doesn't have to be fast.

-Ah!

Could it be fast?

As in high speed?

-What freight needs to be delivered high speed?

-Ice?

-I'll have another croissant.

Can I get a plate as well, please?

-Jim, the economic argument for a direct Melbourne to Brisbane inland freight route is sitting there screaming at us.

-Mm.

Can it go via Sydney?

-What?

You're missing the point.

-What have you got against Sydney?

-Nothing.

There's already a train that goes via Sydney.

-Not a fast one.

-I don't know.

Sorry.

I-I don't know what you want.

-[ Muffled ] A Very Fast Train.

-What?

-I didn't say anything.

-No, no, I didn't hear you.

You had a mouthful of croissant.

-Oh, I see.

Very Fast Train.

-You want a Very Fast Train?

-Mm.

Now that you mention it.

-No, I didn't mention it.

You mentioned it.

-I came here with a blank sheet.

-It's says "Raise VFT" in your diary.

I saw it before.

-Thought-starter.

-And is that my pen?

-Oh, yeah.

-Thanks.

-Juice.

-Lost something?

-I'm doing a hazardous materials checklist.

-Sorry?

-We need to identify anything deemed "toxic."

So far, I've got drain cleaner and mineral turpentine.

-Does flavored milk count?

[ Plastic rustling ] What about this?

-What is it?

-Not sure, but it's "Amanda's."

-She left last Easter.

-I'd add that to your list.

-Okay.

-Hugh, Hugh.

Don't look now, but I was just walking past Stuart's desk, and he -- I said don't look now!

-Sorry.

-He's on Seek.com.

-So?

-He's looking for a job?

-I guess so.

-You don't think that's wrong?

-Well, he's probably just thinking of the future, down the track.

-But he's got a job.

Here.

That deals in the future.

-I guess he doesn't want to get bogged down.

-Bogged d-- He's been here, what, two months?

It's like someone who's just gotten married looking at a dating site.

-I wouldn't know.

I'm not married.

Don't go on many dates.

-I'm gonna ask him.

-On a date?

-No, why he's looking for a job when he's already got one.

♪♪ ♪♪♪ -Are you okay?

-Yeah, no, I'm okay.

-So, I'll make some introductory remarks, I'll hand it over to you, and then the floor is all yours.

-Great.

-Yeah.

So, you'll mention "precincts"?

-Sure.

-I'll take "hubs."

And just remind me of the phrase again.

-Inner urban revitalization project.

-Oh, that's it.

"Inner urban."

Using...?

-Compact urban form.

It's actually inside.

It's the yellow tabs, the -- -Compact urban form.

And at the end, I'll mention the Very Fast Train.

-No.

-So you'll mention it?

-No.

-Do want me to do it?

-No.

I said a freight network, starting with Melbourne to Brisbane, inland.

-Well, it's the same thing.

-No, it's not.

It's completely different.

-They're both trains.

-Yeah, but you've made it go three times as fast via Sydney with no freight.

-But if that's the compromise... -No, don't raise it.

Please.

-Sure.

Yeah.

-Okay.

-Hey.

-Hi.

-How's it going?

-Yeah, good, good.

-All under control?

-Y-Yeah.

-I just thought -- I couldn't help noticing before you were on a job site?

-Oh, y-yeah, I was just kind of browsing, I know I shouldn't have been.

-It's fine.

It's just, you know, we've got a good team here, and I like to think everyone's happy.

-Yeah, for sure.

-And if there's gonna be any changes or if you're thinking of moving on, it always helps to have a bit of warning.

-No, no, really, I've got no plans to leave.

It's all good.

-Great.

-Wow.

-Well done, Jim!

-Thanks, Dave!

Oh!

Here's your pen back.

I just knew they'd love it.

-Yeah, well, compact urban form's kinda the buzz phrase at the moment.

-No, no, the Very Fast Train.

-Oh, I said not to raise that.

-Yeah, but did you see their eyes light up?

And didn't they love the name?

"Future Tracks."

-That's the name we're gonna use for the freight network.

-Yeah, they didn't seem as keen on that.

-Jim.

Great work.

-Hey, thanks, mate.

Cheers.

-People have been trying to get a Very Fast Train up in this country for nearly 50 years.

-That's all the more reason to keep going.

-But it hasn't got up.

What does that tell you?

-We lack vision.

-Or else it simply won't work.

-Have you ever looked into it?

-No, not personally.

-Then I don't understand how can you be so negative.

Don't take away their dream.

-I've got page one here.

-You got page one?

-No, that's -- that's different.

-No, that's the same one?

So you've got a color page and I've got a black and white.

-Okay, are we sorted?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-Well, here we go.

As it turns out, the first feasibility study into a Very Fast Train was done in 1982.

-And what did that find?

-That it wasn't feasible.

-But in 1990, a more detailed study was done.

-Oh, what did that find?

-That it definitely wasn't feasible.

-Right, so we can't do a feasibility study.

-No, 'cause there's another one being done right now.

-You're kidding me.

Another one?

-Will be interesting to see what they find.

-Absolutely.

-But, I mean, have we ever got past a feasibility study?

-Think they might have done a -- a scoping study once.

-Yeah, well, what's the difference?

-One's thicker.

-It's got graphs and diagrams.

-Yeah, but, I mean, studies and scoping exercise -- I mean, have we ever got past that stage?

-Uh... -Uh... -No.

-No.

-Right.

-Sorry, can I just check?

Do you know how to operate a "defiburalator"?

-No, but I know how to pronounce it, and it's not like that.

-What about an EpiPen?

-Yes.

Sort of.

-Great, I'll put you down as Assistant First Aid Officer.

-Okay.

-And will you learn how to operate a "defiburalator"?

-Sure.

-And we need to have an evacuation drill this week.

-Okay.

-Should we do fire, threat, or emergency unspecified?

-What's the difference?

-Nothing.

We just need to practice leaving the building.

-Okay.

-What about Thursday morning?

-Isn't it supposed to be random?

-Oh, well, it might not happen -Right.

-But if it does... -There's a chance it might be Thursday morning.

-Nat?

-Yeah?

-I think these are for you.

-Oh, thanks.

Oh, actually, Katie, this isn't mine.

You're kidding me.

-What?

It's a flight confirmation.

-Yeah.

Look who it's for.

-Stuart -- -No, don't look.

You said look!

-Not at him.

This.

He's off to London.

One way.

-That's nice.

-No, it's not.

I spoke to him yesterday.

He looked me in the eye and he told me he had no plans to leave in the short term.

-Yeah, but that's not for six weeks.

-Do you know his job title?

"Long Term Logistics."

-Well, he's clearly very good at it.

Booking so far ahead.

He must have got an early bird special.

[ Elevator dings ] -Jim.

I was just coming to see you.

-I was just coming to see you.

-Great.

-Can we talk?

-Can we talk?

I know you're really keen, but I just don't think we can make a Very Fast Train work.

-Really?

-The numbers just don't stack up.

-We've got to look beyond the numbers.

Vision, Tony.

-But, Jim -- -If we'd listened to the bean-counters, we never would never built the Snowy.

-The Snowy was a white elephant.

-[ Laughing ] Are you kidding me?

The Snowy forged this nation.

-But I don't think it's ever turned a profit.

-Oh, stop it.

I'm not even gonna listen to that.

-But environmentally, it's a disaster.

-Hydroelectricity.

I did a project on that at school.

-It supplies, like, less than 1% of the grid.

-What about everything else the Snowy's given us?

-What else?

-That miniseries.

-Jim, they're white elephants.

Just like the Very Fast Train.

The numbers don't stack up.

-So, you've looked into it?

-Everyone's looked into it.

There's been like 10 feasibility studies in the last few decades.

-What does that tell you?

-Stop doing feasibility studies.

-Exactly.

-What?

-And what happens next?

-Nothing.

If the study says it stinks, we stop.

-You can't stop now.

You wouldn't believe the reaction this is getting.

-You haven't made -an announcement?

-Of course not.

-But an announcement hasn't been written?

Drafted.

-Jim... -The PM's very keen.

-You've told the Prime Minister?!

-The back benchers are restless.

Seriously, he's got to come up with some sort of 30-year vision in the next three weeks, or it's "pfft"!

-Gone?

-Pfft!

[ Elevator dings ] -Ooh!

He's back!

-I thought the fire drill was on Thursday.

-Shh!

-Oh, could be on Thursday.

-It's Bec's last day.

-Ah!

Of course it is.

-We've got her a card, and we thought you'd like to say a few words.

-Indeed I would.

Um... Well, it's a sad day for us all, as Bec -- -Red skirt.

-There she is.

As she leaves us for bigger things.

And I speak on behalf of the whole NBA family when I wish her all the very best.

-Thanks, Tony.

-I just really wanted you to hear that, Ingrid.

-Rahjee.

-I was speaking to Ingrid.

Yeah.

-There's cake in the kitchen!

-Oh, wow!

The cake in the kitchen... -I said skirt, not dress.

-What's the difference?

Oh, Katie, I need everybody in the boardroom in about 10 minutes.

-Sure.

-Is everything okay?

-It's the Very Fast Train.

Jim wants to really push ahead with it.

-Great.

-What about Bec?

-What about her?

-Do you want her in the meeting?

We're about to discuss a project with a 30 year time-frame.

-And she's here till 5:00.

-So, that's a "no"?

-It's a "no."

[ Alarm blaring ] [ Indistinct shouting ] -Is this the fire drill?

-No, parking inspectors!

-Parking inspectors?

Okay, look, after you've moved your cars, can we have everyone back?

And have some cake and then in the boardroom.

♪♪♪ Okay, so, I had a bit of a think last night.

-Mm-hmm.

-If we're going to make any headway with this crazy idea, our starting point has to be identifying the rail corridor.

-Definitely.

-Because that is the crucial first step.

-Yep -And we're going to do the... -Morning.

-Morning.

-Karsten just sent this over.

The Silver Emu.

-How did that get done so quickly?

I said I didn't want anything drawn.

-Well, Amy told Jim, Jim told Rhonda, and Rhonda called Karsten.

Shall I send it over to Rhonda?

-No.

Hide it.

-What?

-I don't want Rhonda to see that.

-What if she comes looking for it?

-Hide it!

[ Alarm blaring ] -Attention, all staff, this is a fire evacuation drill.

Please assemble at the des of our Designated Safety Warden and await further instructions.

-Does anyone remember who our Safety Warden is?

-I think it's Lachie.

-Who left two weeks ago.

-We could assemble at his old desk?

-Come on, everyone!

Follow me!

-Do I need to bring the EpiPen?

-Yes.

And the "defibraulator."

-We don't have... Okay.

-It's okay.

It's just a drill.

[ Indistinct conversations ] Okay, just a little bit longer.

-Oh, you're kidding me.

-What is it?

-Stuart.

Just checked my emails.

Guess who's just officially given notice.

I knew it.

I knew it.

-Okay, we can head back up now.

-Alright, we're back on in.

Okay.

Thank you.

Well done, everyone.

I reckon that went well.

-I just feel like I'm spending my entire life interviewing new staff or writing cards for ones who are leaving.

-I'm not leaving.

-Thank God for that, Hugh.

But, you know, I mean, you must occasionally think about it?

-No.

-Never?

-Nah.

-So, where do you see yourself five years from now?

-Uh... Scott's desk?

-What?

It's near the window.

You get to look out.

[ Alarm blaring ] -Parking inspectors!

-Parking inspectors, Nat.

-It's my mum's car!

-Move, move!

♪♪♪ -Oh!

Morning, Tony.

-Morning, Amy.

What's with all the cones?

-We're identifying tripping hazards.

-Oh, I spotted a tripping hazard.

-Where?

-Right here.

-I mean, you could really -- -Oh, they're just temporary.

-Okay.

-Whoa!

What?!

-Amy?

-Yeah?

-I reckon enough cones.

-Okay.

-Okay.

-I didn't see it coming.

-Hey, you gotta check out this clip on YouTube.

-Does it involve a cat?

-No.

How cool is that?

-[ Sighs ] -It's a prototype from China.

Top speed, 480 kilometers per hour.

-I don't know what the fuss is about.

A commercial aircraft goes at 900.

-Yeah, but it doesn't make the noise.

A bullet train's like, "Voowww!"

A plane is just, "Vvvvvvvv."

-I reckon we get back to work.

-Back to work, everyone.

[ Alarm blaring ] Hey, another clip.

Check this out.

-Actually, you know what?

Real work.

Securing the corridor.

-What's that one?

-Rhonda alert.

-Oh, shit.

-Be very -- Here she comes.

Here she comes.

Very interesting, too.

Oh, Rhonda!

-Okay, where is it?

-Where's what?

-The drawing.

-I don't know what you're talking about.

-A drawing?

-Karsten did a drawing.

He sent it to you.

-He didn't send it to me.

-Did he send it to you?

-No, I didn't get anything.

-Give it to me!

-Rhonda, I didn't see - -Tony, I've got nothing.

I need something.

I need an announcement.

-Yeah, I don't know -- -Is this what you're looking for, Rhonda?

-Ahh.

Thank you.

-It was a tripping hazard.

-Rhonda, we need to talk about that.

-Ooh, yes, we do.

-Just give me one minute.

-Nice!

-Okay, no more YouTube, no more bullshit.

I want hard facts.

-Got it.

-Scotty!

-So, where are we at?

-Nowhere.

Same place we've been for 50 years.

-I don't understand why you're being so negative.

I've been doing this job 20 years, and trust me -- every time we announce a Very Fast Train, 95% of Australians are for it.

-And the other 5%?

-Who are they?

-Engineers, economists, experts in transport logistics.

-Yeah, yeah, the lunatic fringe.

Real people love it.

So, where are we at?

-Well we're trying to secure the rail corridor between Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne because if you want to build this thing -- -Build?

Whoa, whoa.

I don't want to build it.

I want to launch it.

I'm thinking of an ambassador, someone to be the face of it.

Who's that person who really loves trains?

I don't know.

-Oh, you see them on the TV all the time.

-The Fat Controller?

-Tim Fischer.

-Does he like trains?

-You know what?

I think we need to keep a lid on this, Rhonda.

-No, we need to build a buzz, generate some excitement, get traction.

-Yeah, but I can't afford to have the whole office distracted.

-Who drove the Chattanooga Choo Choo?

-Scotty.

-Hey, look out there.

You see any excitement in their eyes?

To be part of nation building for the future?

-The future?

Most of them won't be there in six months.

They'll be on a very fast plane to Barcelona.

-Tony, we've got the will.

We've got designs for a logo.

What's stopping us?

-As an expert in this field, how would you react if I said we were thinking of revisiting the Very Fast Train proposal?

It's -- It's not a prank.

-I realize your study concluded it wasn't viable, but that was many years ago.

Okay, two years ago.

-But hypothetically let's say we went at 600 kilometers per hour.

Yes, I understand the laws of physics.

-Gradient shouldn't be a problem, if we've just got to, uh, flatten out a few hills.

Yeah, the Blue Mountains, sure.

That's -- Tat's a little more challenging.

-No, no, I understand, but theoretically, if we were to tunnel from Melbourne to Canberra -- No, just go with me on this.

-Okay, but, sorry, why would we need to fence the line?

To prevent collisions, sure.

We couldn't just put up signs?

Yeah, I realize cows can't read.

-I don't work for a breakfast radio show.

-Okay, so, if we made the fence even higher?

So that the kangaroos couldn't jump it.

Okay, how would the wombats get in?

-Right, and how would you rank our chances of success?

Oh, that's quite high.

Oh, out of 100.

-It's actually very difficult to get the train out of Melbourne.

-But after that?

-Oh, plain sailing.

-Until you hit the Blue Mountains.

-Then you've got the western suburbs of Sydney.

They present some serious challenges.

-I know.

Seven marginal seats.

-I meant engineering challenges.

-Yeah, no, I got it.

-Then there's the question of getting the train out of Sydney.

-When do we get to Brisbane?

-Uh, in about four pages.

-We spoke to every expert we could find.

-Should I mention the wildlife issues?

It's not just kangaroos.

-No, it doesn't matter.

Even with the craziest of assumptions -- petrol at $7 a liter, airfares tripled, a congestion tax in all the capital cities -- -The numbers still don't stack up.

-There's no silver bullet.

-Actually, that's a really good name.

-I'll have to break the news to Jim.

I might need the defibrillator.

-Look at the map!

Look at the map!

How can you say no to this?

-I'm saying that from here to here a train would work, from there to there a train would work, from there to there, but not from there to there to there!

-But look at the connectivity from Brisbane all the -- It's bringing Australia together!

It's building the nation!

-It's worked there!

-That's Japan!

-It's worked there!

-Spain!

-And look at it!

-But what -- That's an artist's impression, Jim.

-Ohh!

-And then that doesn't say anything about all the problems that we've got to resolve.

-Don't let the problem stand in the way.

'Cause you know where every problem is there's a solution right around the corner.

-Stop it.

I'm getting an ice-cream headache.

Even if we resolved all the engineering and environmental problems, the distances are simply too great.

-Oh, you've got to give me something.

Look at it!

The Silver Emu!

It's so close, I can hear it.

Achoo-choo-choo... -That's a steam train, Jim.

Jim, are you alright?

-There must be something we can announce.

-Yeah, but we can't announce a feasibility study.

-Are you sure?

-Or a scoping study.

-What's that?

-It's the same thing, only thicker with graphs and diagrams.

-That sounds good.

-Yeah, but it's only gonna tell us what we already know -- a Very Fast Train simply won't work.

-We won't know that until the report's finished.

-We know that now.

-Not officially.

And they don't know that we know.

-Who's "they"?

-The naysayers!

-But they know we know they know we know.

-What?!

Can we just move this thing forward?

[ Murmuring ] For 15 months, if you know what I mean.

-If you opened your mouth, I might.

-Until the election!

-Oh!

Sorry.

Oh.

-[ Exhales sharply ] -I get it.

Alright.

-Yes!

-I haven't said anything yet.

-Still supportive.

-We announce that we're gonna set up...an authority.

-An "authority"!

-A Federal High Speed Rail Authority.

The FHSR.

-The FHSR.

What do they do?

-Well, what we're doing, but over a longer time-frame.

-And they'll be within your... -No, within yours.

I can supply some staff.

They won't last long, but it will be a standalone authority.

And they do a targeted study.

-Brilliant.

-They have to look at acquiring the pieces of land that will secure the "rail corridor."

But over a long time-frame, so it's virtually meaningless.

-I need to make some calls.

Can I borrow...?

-Yeah.

-And your office.

-Sure.

-FHSR.

FHSR.

-Yeah.

I can't guarantee anyone's gonna buy it!

-It's the ultimate in speedy rail direction.

-A Very Fast Train link... -A high-speed rail network is finally on track.

-...including Canberra, Sydney, and Brisbane.

-...will run more than 360 kilometers an hour.

-It's a quick, cheap, and relaxing alternative to flying.

-The trains will carry 54 million passengers each year.

-Sounds awesome.

-I wish we had them now.

-It really is the future of public transport.

♪♪ -I'm gonna be perfectly frank with everyone.

Sometimes this authority is forced to go down a road not of our choosing.

Sometimes we're asked to look into ideas that are, well, let's just say, somewhat "flawed."

-Is this turning the rivers inland?

-No.

-Kimberley Canal?

-It's not a game.

-It should be.

-Sunshine Coast International Airport?

-Yeah, not public knowledge, Amy.

-[ Gasps ] -The major problem we face is distance.

Over 600 kilometers, the economics get pretty difficult.

Over 750, virtually impossible.

So that gets us from Melbourne to Bowral.

Then what?

-Visit the Bradman Museum?

-No, no, how do we get to Sydney?

To Sydney.

And then Brisbane's another 900-plus.

And then you've got parks and tunnels.

I mean, there a lot of problems that have to be solved.

-Like, what do we call the train?

-Not a problem.

-Maybe something grand like The Southern Lightning.

-Or The Southern Streak.

-Isn't that a netball team?

-What's our fastest animal?

-Kangaroo.

-Is it?

-For sure.

They fly along.

-Yeah, but I think the emu might be faster.

-Really?

-The Silver Emu.

-How do you know that?

-About the emu?

-Yeah, about the emu.

-There's that song.

-What song?

-[ Singing melody ] ♪ He can't fly, but I'm telling you ♪♪ -♪ He can run the pants off a kangaroo ♪♪ ♪ Ba-da-do, do-do-do-do-do ♪ ♪ Do-do-do-do-do ♪ -♪ Take a look, and he'll prove to you ♪♪ -♪ He can run the pants off a kangaroo ♪♪ [ All singing ]