Authorities plan to cut Sydney-to-Newcastle travel time from 2.5 hours to 45 minutes. However, consulting giant GHD has already billed the High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) over $760,000 for First Nations advisory and engagement services.

“Why does First Nations advice cost nearly $1 million?” asked 2GB’s Luke Grant. “What exactly does that consultation involve?” Critics question whether consultancy spending is excessive, delaying actual construction work.

Big Four firm Ernst & Young will receive more than $4 million for economic modeling, funding strategies, and demand projections. Additionally, they will charge $2.1 million for commercial delivery planning and industry engagement strategies.