Australian Automobile Association Conference: Infrastructure solutions for the 21st century
25th March, 2014
Thank you very much, Ross [Herron, President of the Australian Automobile Association].Good morning everyone, and I am very pleased to open the Australian Automobile Association's Conference today.
I would again like to congratulate the Association on its 90 years of serving Australia's motorists.
I think that your emphasis on 'infrastructure solutions' is particularly timely in today's infrastructure environment.
Australia has multiple demands for new and renewed transport infrastructure.
These are closely associated with another pressing matter -developing better solutions to how we identify, deliver and pay for infrastructure.
As you would know, the Government has asked the Productivity Commission to examine these issues. The Commission released its draft report earlier this month, with its final report due in May.
My colleague the Hon Jamie Briggs will have some things to say on this matter today.
INFRASTRUCTURE REFORM - A JOINT HERITAGE OF THE ASSOCIATION AND THE GOVERNMENT
These reforms involve challenges, but reform is part of the shared DNA of the Government and the Association.
Our commitments to build a better Australian road network began with the work of our predecessors in the 1920s - when Australia faced some infrastructure issues similar to those of 2014... if on a different scale.
As well as the new Automobile Association, Australia in 1924 had a new Government led by an under-rated Prime Minister, Stanley Melbourne Bruce.
He understood that better roads were among Australia's most crucial infrastructure needs - as they are today.
So it was fitting that one of the Bruce Government's first pieces of legislation was the Main Roads Development Act 1923 ¬- an Act with a national focus on developing Australia's roads.
LESSONS FROM THE 1920s
The Bruce Government's work offers at least three worthwhile insights in 2014.
These are the need to meet national demands for infrastructure, the need to prioritise between competing demands, and the need for a coherent infrastructure supply framework.
INFRASTRUCTURE DEMAND
Starting with infrastructure demand, the Government recognises that modern nations need modern infrastructure, and we are acting on this recognition.
We have committed $35.5 billion in transport infrastructure investments over six years under our Infrastructure Investment Programme.
Our investments include $1.5 billion for Melbourne's East-West Link, $1.5 billion to get Sydney's Westconnex project underway, $1 billion to upgrade the Gateway Motorway in Brisbane, and record amounts in major regional roads.
We also recognise that all roads ultimately become local ones.
The Roads to Recovery programme, which we established in 2001, has been vital in assisting local governments maintain over 650,000 kilometers of local roads.
Last month, I introduced the Land Transport Infrastructure Amendment Bill into Parliament, which will adequately fund this very successful programme into the future.
INFRASTRUCTURE PRIORITIES
Time and money are always scarce, so infrastructure demands must be rigorously prioritised.
This can necessarily involve investment choices between transport sectors - but it does not involve neglecting them.
We have, for instance, committed $300 million to commence the construction of the Melbourne-Brisbane Inland Railway - and recognise the urgency of meeting Sydney's aviation needs.
But we also recognise that the fully modernising Australia's road network remains a critical national priority.
A COHERENT INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPLY FRAMEWORK
Finally, we need a coherent framework for infrastructure supply which meets the challenges of financial constraint and rising infrastructure demand.
This involves a host of issues around infrastructure management, including making the best use of existing infrastructure.
However, a critical part of this framework clearly involves expanding private sector investment in infrastructure - and this is a focus of our efforts.
CONCLUSION
The Government will continue to help deliver the major infrastructure projects Australia needs, and we will reform national approaches to how we fund, deliver and manage infrastructure.
These efforts are vital to Australia's future health and prosperity.
It has been a pleasure to meet with the Association this morning, and I look forward to a continuing exchange with you.
I expect you will have successful outcomes from your Conference, and thank you very much.
[ENDS]
