Groups in Glenrowan, Wangaratta, Benalla and Euroa have all expressed concerns about planned upgrades to allow double-stacked freight trains to pass through their stations.

Dr Haines said many had expressed "they are not satisfied" with the ARTC's consultation to date.

"They feel that the impact on their stations will make things far worse than they ever have been," she said.

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"They want to see a positive result from Inland Rail.

"I've taken those issues to the Deputy Prime Minister and I've taken those issues to the ARTC.

"I believe the CEO of the ARTC made a visit down here yesterday; the people of Benalla told me they are very pleased that there seems to be a shift now in in thinking.

"I'm very happy to hear that the Deputy Prime Minister has agreed to come and visit these communities - he'll be here in early March."

Dr Haines spoke to the Industrial Relations bill, debated in parliament this week.

"I spoke to many businesses across Indi and indeed Business Wodonga, who gave a clear message to me that that bill was very underdeveloped," she said.

"There's a lot of ambiguity around the definition of a casual employee, there's a lot of uncertainty around how someone transitioning from casual to permanent would would take place.

"I agree with the government on that (the Rosato case), that if someone has been a casual and being paid all their casual rates, then they shouldn't be back-paid on top of that for permanent entitlements.

"That bill has now gone to the Senate and I sincerely hope some very good amendments are made."