All parts of the infrastructure sector require some level of reform. If we are to become a more productive nation and provide the affordable services that Australians reasonably expect, we must look to changing our systems for infrastructure decision making. These changes include:
■ finding ways to increase the use and value we draw from our existing infrastructure;
■ reforming procurement and construction to reduce the cost of delivering the infrastructure we need;
■ applying user charges to fund infrastructure, while having clearly targeted government support to those regions and people where user charging will impose undue social costs;
■ ensuring that our regulatory environment supports cost-effective and transparent delivery of the services we require and seek; and
■ fostering the uptake of new technologies.
We need sensible, considered change. Done well, this will help improve our decision making in infrastructure planning, procurement, delivery and operation. We must act on these issues to enhance our economic competitiveness and quality of life.