1.24 The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government wrote to the Chair of the Infrastructure Australia Council on 3 June 2008, setting out his expectations for Infrastructure Australia over the next 12 months to 30 June 2009. This set out a range of matters relating to the establishment of Infrastructure Australia, including: the proposed timing of meetings; reporting arrangements for Infrastructure Australia; the proposed appointment of the Infrastructure Coordinator; staffing matters; funding arrangements; Infrastructure Australia's forward work plan; and Infrastructure Australia's reporting to COAG.
1.25 In responding to the Minister's expectations, the Chair indicated that his intentions for Infrastructure Australia for the year were to establish the effective operation of Infrastructure Australia to meet the Minister's expectations, including the work program agreed by COAG (outlined above). The Chair also indicated that Infrastructure Australia would work closely with the COAG Infrastructure Working Group to progress immediate priorities and to develop a forward work program for work beyond March 2009.
1.26 At the Infrastructure Australia Council meeting in October 2008, the Infrastructure Australia Council approved a set of objectives, strategic priorities and principles in analysis and decision‐making for Infrastructure Australia. These are outlined in Table 1.1.
Table 1.1 Objectives, strategic priorities and principles for Infrastructure Australia
| • Increased economic standard of living for Australians. • Environmental sustainability and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. • Better social outcomes, quality of life and reduced social disadvantage in our cities and our regions. |
| • Expand Australia's productive capacity. • Increase Australia's productivity. • Diversify Australia's economic capabilities. • Build on Australia's global competitive advantages. • Develop our cities and/or regions. • Reduce greenhouse emissions. • Improve social equity and quality of life in our cities and our regions. |
| • National perspective to complement State and Territory ambitions. • Triple bottom line approach (economic, environmental and social). • Efficient use of existing infrastructure and resources. • Maximise the productivity of people and assets. • Examine supply and demand side patterns, options and solutions. • A long-term, whole-of-life approach. • Optimise the role of both the public and private sector. |
Source: Meeting papers for Meeting Four of Infrastructure Australia Council, 1 October 2008.