A reform of the Infrastructure Priority List, more consistency in infrastructure assessment and a more active role in the post completion stage of projects are part of a new vision set for Infrastructure Australia, following an independent review of the advisory body.
In July, the federal government commissioned a review of Infrastructure Australia, which was conducted by Nicole Lockwood and Mike Mrdak to recommend a new way forward for the research and advisory body.
The Review was commissioned to consider Infrastructure Australia’s role as an independent adviser to the Commonwealth on nationally significant infrastructure priorities and advise on what changes may be needed to Infrastructure Australia’s focus, priorities and, if necessary, legislation.
The review recommended Infrastructure Australia (IA) to have a clearer purpose with a legislated mandate, and that its role as a national adviser be enhanced and that its governance structure be reformed.
Catherine King, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has responded to the review and indicated the federal government will support a refined Infrastructure Priority List, develop a national planning and assessment framework for projects and adopt a structure for IA that ensures closer collaboration with states and territories.
“The changes the government will put in place will result in a stronger, more focused Infrastructure Australia with a mandate to oversee projects from idea to completion so the significant investment by taxpayers is spent wisely and well for their benefit,” Minister King said.
Under the revised vision, Infrastructure Australia will:
produce a more refined, smaller, targeted Infrastructure Priority List;
develop a national planning and assessment framework to support national consistency in infrastructure assessment;
adopt a more active role in the post completion stage of infrastructure projects;
adopt a structure for Infrastructure Australia to work closely with the infrastructure bodies (i-bodies) set up by states and territories.
Infrastructure Australia will also be led by a new governance model, with the current board to be replaced by three commissioners supported by an advisory board with experts from Infrastructure and related sectors and senior public service officials.
In a response to the announcement, Roads Australia chief executive Michael Kilgariff said the IA review recommendations will promote collaboration and productivity.
“Roads Australia welcomes the federal government’s support for reform of the Infrastructure Priority List and for establishing a structure that will ensure IA works closely with state and territory infrastructure bodies,” Kilgariff said.
“A smaller and more targeted Infrastructure Priority List will be valuable to industry in terms of making informed decisions regarding contracting opportunities, skills and resourcing.”
Some of the changes recommended for IA will require legislation, but others will commence as soon as practicable.
The federal government will make announcements about transitional arrangements for the current board in the near future.
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