1.8 Section 7 of the Infrastructure Australia Act provides that Infrastructure Australia consists of the Chair and 11 other members. Members of Infrastructure Australia (known in this report as the Infrastructure Australia Council) are appointed by the Minister.43 Nine members of Infrastructure Australia (including the Chair) are nominated by the Commonwealth, whilst the remaining three are nominated by agreement between the States and Territories. To be eligible for appointment, each Member must have knowledge of, or experience in, a field relevant to Infrastructure Australia's functions.44 In addition, from the nine members nominated by the Commonwealth, five must have acquired their knowledge or experience in the private sector, and one in local government. 45
1.9 The Chair of Infrastructure Australia, Sir Rod Eddington, was announced by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government on 26 February 2008.46 His appointment is on a part‐time basis, for a period of three years (from 9 April 2008 to 8 April 2011).47
1.10 The other eleven members of Infrastructure Australia were announced on 19 May 2008.48 The three members nominated by State and Territory Governments were Mr Jim Hallion, Mr Anthony Kannis and Dr Kerry Schott. The other members were Professor Peter Newman (for local government expertise); The Hon Mark Birrell (private sector nominee); Mr Phil Hennessy (private sector nominee); Ms Heather Ridout (private sector nominee); Mr Ross Rolfe (private sector nominee); Mr Garry Weaven (private sector nominee); Mr Terry Moran (Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet); and Dr Ken Henry (Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of the Treasury). Each of these appointments is on a part‐time basis for a period of nearly three years, from the date of appointment on 21 May 2008 until 8 April 2011.49
1.11 Two acting members were also appointed by the Minister to act as proxy members for the Secretaries of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Treasury.
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43 Section 8(1) of the Infrastructure Australia Act.
44 Section 8(2)(a) of the Infrastructure Australia Act.
45 Sections 8(2)(c) and (d) of the Infrastructure Australia Act.
46 The Hon Anthony Albanese MP (Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government), Sir Rod Eddington appointed to head Infrastructure Australia, Media Release, 26 February 2008.
47 The Instrument of appointment was signed by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government on 21 May 2008.
48 The Hon Anthony Albanese MP (Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government), Membership of Infrastructure Australia, Media Release, 19 May 2008.
49 In his Statement of Expectations dated 3 June 2008, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government requested that the Infrastructure Coordinator also be invited to attend meetings of the Infrastructure Australia Council.