Media Statement - 11th May 2005
The infrastructure needed to support Australia's economic growth will not materialise under the current Government.
To survive in a modern, global economy Australia must be internationally competitive. It is essential that the Federal Government is committed to taking the Australian economy to a new phase of sustained productivity growth. Crucial to this is building world class infrastructure.
Labor has a longstanding commitment to providing national leadership for our infrastructure needs.
Labor's policy approach since 2000 has been the establishment of a nationally led and coordinated authority to work in partnership with the States and Territories to identify and achieve the most effective outcomes for our nationally significant infrastructure.
That is why Labor in Government will establish Infrastructure Australia.
Infrastructure Australia will be charged with responsibility for developing a strategic blueprint for our nation's infrastructure needs over coming years and facilitating its implementation, in partnership with the States, Territories, local government and the private sector.
Infrastructure Australia will be an Independent Statutory Authority that will report to the Commonwealth Minister for Infrastructure.
Infrastructure Australia will present regular reports to COAG as part of Labor's plan to make infrastructure a standing item on the COAG agenda.
Infrastructure Australia will receive input from the three tiers of government, the private sector and the general public to identify infrastructure projects of national importance.
Infrastructure Australia will establish policy guidelines and standardised formats to facilitate consideration of infrastructure proposals and to expedite decision-making.
Labor's Infrastructure Australia initiative offers a coordinated and objective approach to the long-term planning and development of nationally significant infrastructure.
Planning and development our nation desperately needs after nine years of the Howard/Costello Government's economic complacency.