<p>A decision on the Australian Rail Track Corporation’s proposal to lease New South Wales interstate tracks looks a step closer following "constructive" talks between the commonwealth and state governments.</p> <p>Deputy prime minister John Anderson, NSW treasurer Michael Egan and NSW transport minister Michael Costa met this week to discuss the issue.</p> <p>In a joint statement, the ministers said they agreed that a national approach to rail operations is "sensible and necessary public policy".</p> <p>"The ministers recognised that the freight market was growing rapidly and that they were committed to rail playing its part, particularly on the north-south corridor between Melbourne and Brisbane," the statement said.</p> <p>The ministers also agreed to work on integrating NSW interstate rail lines and the Hunter Valley network into the national rail network.</p> <p>Rural employment and better rural transport efficiencies were also agreed upon as priorities.</p> <p>No indication on further meetings or the likely timing of a decision was given.</p> <p>"All I can say is that it’s an ongoing process," a spokeswoman for Mr Costa said. </p> <p> </p> <br />
