Resources and Northern Australia Minister Matt Canavan has downplayed questions about the $10.7 billion inland rail project, calling for more scrutiny of infrastructure including Canberra's light rail line and the new Western Sydney Airport instead.

Announcing the formation of a government taskforce to boost the case for coal in Australia, Senator Canavan told Canberra's National Press Club the mining boom is not over and a strong focus on resources would lead to more jobs and opportunity.