Statement of Expectations issued to Infrastructure Australia
6th November, 2014
Reflecting Infrastructure Australia's recent change in governance, focussed on greater transparency and accountability, the Australian Government has provided the renewed authority with its first Statement of Expectations.Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the Australian Government's vision for Infrastructure Australia is that it should now be free to manage its own agenda and deliver high quality advice on nationally significant infrastructure needs.
“I expect IA under the direction of the new Board to consult and establish productive working relationships with key infrastructure stakeholders, including all levels of government, other relevant bodies and organisations, investors in infrastructure and owners of infrastructure,” Mr Truss said.
“The Board will keep me informed of its actions and alert me to events or issues that may impact on operations. In particular, I look forward to regular progress reports on initiatives and activities, as well as a twice-yearly report to the Ministerial Transport and Infrastructure Council.
“Through our changes, IA is moving away from assessing lists based on previously announced government priorities to instead focus strategically on Australia's future infrastructure needs. This will inform decisions, rather than simply catch-up to decisions already made.
“It's a far better result for all with an informed government delivering strategic and truly significant infrastructure to people and businesses who rely on infrastructure to meet their current and future needs.”
Mr Truss stressed that the Australian Government expects Infrastructure Australia to complete a full audit of Australia's infrastructure asset base, which is evidence-based and undertaken in consultation with all jurisdictions.
“Importantly, Infrastructure Australia is now undertake a comprehensive audit of northern Australia's infrastructure, while also developing a 15-year national Infrastructure Plan that identifies the infrastructure required to increase productivity and support economic growth,” he said.
Infrastructure Australia will respond to the Australian Government's Statement of Expectations with a Statement of Intent before the end of this year.
The Australian Government Review of Corporate Governance and Statutory Authorities and Office Holders (‘the Uhrig Review’) recommended that Ministers should issue Statements of Expectations to their portfolio bodies to clearly articulate the Government's expectations of each body, while respecting areas of independence of the body in accordance with the legislation establishing it.
