Article: Tim Fischer proposes $1m visas to build fast train

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Tim Fischer proposes $1m visas to build fast train

Tim Fischer proposes $1m visas to build fast train

    by: Phillip Hudson
    From: Herald Sun
    February 02, 2012 12:00AM

TRAIN fanatic and former deputy PM Tim Fischer has floated the radical idea of selling visas for $1 million each to rich foreigners and using the money to build a high-speed train.

Mr Fischer said it was now or never to make plans to build a high-speed rail link from Melbourne's Southern Cross station via Melbourne airport to Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane.

He said the main argument against doing it was the huge cost of construction and buying land.

The special permanent quota residence visas would be "aimed squarely at the nervous, rich middle class of parts of Asia, Europe and the Middle East who want bolt holes", he said.

Mr Fischer, who has finished a posting as ambassador to the Holy See, said such a scheme operated in the US and could raise $12 billion in the first five years.

He said applicants would be charged $1 million as an investment in infrastructure bonds and $100,000 for administration and character, health and criminal checks.

"Currently, rich citizens of the world have legal ways to enter, buy property and live Down Under," he told the National Press Club. "(This idea) could revamp entry and create a win/win."

Mr Fischer said if Australia did not have high-speed rail it would need to build costly eight-lane highways and more airports.

He said high-speed rail must be part of long-term thinking and the cost of the land would increase if it were not purchased now.

Mr Fischer plans to spend his time on the farm, writing and doing charity work.

[SurfRail]

Sounds like a fantastic idea.  Tim was always my favourite National, for more reasons than his interest in the railways.

Of course, we will no doubt never hear about it again. 

[ozbob]

 

[ButFli]

I actually object to Tim Fischer being described as a "train fanatic" in the opening line of the article merely because he is interested in and supports trains. Someone who advocates travel by private car is not described as a "car fanatic" and someone who advocates building more airports is not a "plane fanatic". Such language is highly loaded and only serves to reinforce views that high-speed rail is a fanatical solution to a problem better solved by other means.