French companies are keen to build a high-speed rail network in Australia, France’s Transport Minister Thierry Mariani said yesterday, despite the prospect still being in the early stages.

The idea of a very fast train system linking the major cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra has been debated for years, but gained momentum last year after the government announced a study into a network.

Canberra has costed the project at between AU$61 billion (€44.49 billion) and AU$108 billion (€78.60 billion), and Mr Mariani said French transport companies were keen to be involved. “Of course we are interested by this opportunity, but as your (New South Wales state transport) ministers told me ... I think you are in the first steps,” Mr Mariani said. “And after that your government will decide whether you do it or not.”

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