I believe we need permanent passenger train services between Ballarat and Geelong and this means putting in passing loops.

Reopening this line would boost opportunities for jobs, education, tourism, shopping and business in general between two of regional Victoria's biggest cities.

I believe if we put in a quicker, more comfortable service that is timetabled to succeed, people will come.

In time, the line would pay for itself.

When I can hear freight trains on this line almost every day, I ask myself the question: 'Why isn't it being used to carry passengers?'

Yes, there will need to be investments to ensure that essential freight movements are not held up and extra rolling stock to enable regular services, which may be implemented if necessary in a phased manner.

However, there is obvious potential to put in a passenger service at a relatively low cost.

It is true that final costs will need to be agreed upon, however an independent report by the Rail Revival Alliance estimated it would cost $90 million to reopen passenger services between Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo.

While some of these station buildings are now privately owned, others from the 1860s are sitting idle and could be reopened with upgrades to meet modern safety and disability standards.

This would be a way of valuing our rail heritage and in turn creating much-wanted jobs in our region to stimulate the economy.

Times have changed since the regular service was closed in 1978.

Bannockburn is booming, and locals deserve a more comprehensive public transport timetable, as do people in Lethbridge, Meredith, Elaine, Lal Lal and Warrenheip.

Trains are the lifeblood of regional communities.

We have a special attachment to rail that runs deep and for good reason.

Historically, they have meant the opening up of our country and that has been vital to the survival of our small towns and the economic development of our region.

As the candidate for Buninyong, I feel it is my duty to speak out and support issues that will benefit my electorate.

To be effective, I understand this will mean sticking my neck out on behalf of our community along with banging the table in Spring Street and elsewhere.

I certainly did not go into political life to be a puppet who turns up to announcements, smiles and then continues with business as usual.

Locals are also sick of party-political bickering.

If we all work together instead of pulling each other apart, who knows what we can achieve?