1. In May 2005, the then Shadow Minister for Industry, Infrastructure and Industrial Relations announced the Australian Labor Party's (ALP) intention, if elected, to create a nationally led and coordinated authority, to be titled Infrastructure Australia, to work with the States and Territories to identify and achieve the most effective outcomes for nationally significant infrastructure.1 Two years later, the ALP's 2007 National Platform and Constitution reiterated the ALP's intention to establish Infrastructure Australia as an independent statutory authority to assist in the planning and coordination of Australia's infrastructure needs.2 Consequently, in the lead‐up to the 2007 Federal Election, the ALP made a commitment to establish Infrastructure Australia within 100 days of being in government, if elected.3
2. Following the ALP's election to Government, the Infrastructure Australia Bill was introduced in the Parliament on 21 February 2008, passed both Houses of Parliament in March 2008, and the Act commenced on 9 April 2008. The Infrastructure Australia Act 2008 (the Infrastructure Australia Act) established Infrastructure Australia and set out Infrastructure Australia's functions. Infrastructure Australia's primary function under the Act is to provide advice to the Minister, all levels of government, and investors and owners of infrastructure on matters relating to infrastructure. Infrastructure Australia was also given a number of additional functions, including:
• conducting audits to determine the adequacy, capacity and condition of nationally significant infrastructure, taking into account forecast growth; and
• developing lists (to be known as Infrastructure Priority Lists) that prioritise Australia's infrastructure needs.
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1 Stephen Smith (then Shadow Minister for Industry, Infrastructure and Industrial Relations), Announcement of Infrastructure Australia, Media Release, 12 May 2005.
2 Australian Labor Party, National Platform and Constitution 2007, April 2007, p. 72. This followed the release of the Report of the Australian Labor Party Inquiry into the Financing and Provision of Australian Infrastructure, April 2007, which also recommended the establishment of a national infrastructure advisory council.
3 Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Infrastructure Australia Bill 2008, Second Reading Speech, House of Representatives, 21 February 2008.