A parliamentary committee has called on the federal government to look closer at high-speed rail as a way of unlocking more affordable housing in Australia.
Liberal MP and chair John Alexander, tabling a report in parliament on Tuesday, said vision and innovation needed to replace "debilitating" political arguments.
A plan was needed to relieve the country's major cities of the burden of growth and that could be achieved through faster transport to urban areas.
The group of coalition, Labor MPs and an independent recommended the government examine ways to promote decentralisation, seek proposals for a high-speed rail network and investigate options for private funding through value capture.
It also suggested the government, in conjunction with the states and territories, keep an eye on the development of Hyperloop - a supersonic transport system - and, when appropriate, assess its feasibility.
"This plan of urban renewal and decentralisation, facilitated by strategic planning of infrastructure, will deliver an abundant affordable housing supply for generations to come," Mr Alexander said.
