Since its creation in 2008, under the outstanding leadership of Sir Rod Eddington, Infrastructure Australia has filled a critical role as a national leader on infrastructure priorities. Legislation passed (with all-Party support) in 2014 further strengthened IA's functions and independence.
To get infrastructure planning and delivery right, you must have a long-term focus. There could be no better example of this than when it comes to protecting the corridors Australia needs to provide future railways, roads and utility networks.
With infrastructure a focus of the 2017–18 Federal Budget, we have seen continued public commentary on the important role infrastructure investment can play in improving living standards and boosting Australia’s economic productivity.
Infrastructure Australia has published a newly revised Infrastructure Priority List identifying 100 major proposals that Australia needs over the next 15 years to boost our quality of life and grow our economy.
As 2016 draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support and reflect on the productive year that it has been for Infrastructure Australia.
Today Infrastructure Australia published its 2015–16 Annual Report PDF: 2200 KB ReadSpeaker to Parliament, detailing a year of strong delivery against our mandate to guide nationally-significant infrastructure investment and reform.
As we approach the halfway point of 2016, I am pleased to see there has been plenty of ongoing public discussion and debate on the future of Australia's infrastructure. Much of the discussion has centred around the data and recommendations from our Australian Infrastructure Plan and refreshed Infrastructure Priority List, which we released in February this year.
On behalf of the Infrastructure Australia Board, I am proud to publicly release our 15 year Australian Infrastructure Plan. It was formally presented to Prime Minister, the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP, this morning.