3.4 Recommendation 

Deliver a greater return on investment by ensuring governments act as model clients and custodians of industry health and productivity. 

Proposed sponsor: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 

Supported by: Department of Finance

When this should impact:

Where this should impact:

3.4.1 Improve user and community outcomes by aligning investment and reforms with a unified and central vision for future Australian infrastructure. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 

Supported by: Industry representative groups, inclusive of Australian Constructors Association, Business Council of Australia, Consult Australia and Infrastructure Partnerships Australia

Increase clarity and confidence for industry, governments and community practice by creating a common national infrastructure vision with a commitment to principles, strategic focus areas, objectives and performance metrics. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications

Expand and promote new and existing industry and jurisdictional reforms and best practices by establishing a government and industry collaborative leadership group. 

Proposed lead: Infrastructure Australia 

Supported by: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, and industry representative groups, including identified leaders of change

Provide a consistent view on the maturity of major project decision-making by refreshing and reporting against the Infrastructure Decision-making Principles. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 

Supported by: Infrastructure Australia

3.4.2: Optimally allocate and invest in infrastructure with the Australian Government progressing towards a mature and informed investor. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications

Strengthen the Australian Government's project delivery capabilities, processes and systems by establishing an office focused on infrastructure project delivery excellence. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 

Supported by: Industry representative groups, including Australian Institute of Project Management

Ensure Australian taxpayer interests are well-represented and drive national consistency in project delivery by appointing experienced senior responsible officers to all major federally funded projects. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 

Supported by: Significant Project Investment Delivery Office

Safeguard community interests and taxpayer funding by ensuring all proposed investments demonstrate an assessment of non-build solutions. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 

Supported by: Infrastructure Australia, state and territory treasuries, infrastructure investment assurance and assessment agencies

Ensure funding and finance decisions for nationally significant projects reflect best practice by updating the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines, including a clearer and broader definition of value for money. 

Proposed lead: Department of Finance 

Supported by: Infrastructure and Project Financing Agency

Provide a pathway for prospective bidders to submit proposals that align with federal infrastructure policy priorities by developing an Australian Government market-led proposals framework that integrates with jurisdictional guidance. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 

Supported by: Infrastructure and Project Financing Authority, Infrastructure Australia and industry representative groups, including Infrastructure Partnerships Australia

Strengthen asset management by ensuring asset registers include condition, use and quality, facilitated by a community of practice between governments, industry and academia promoting excellence in capabilities, processes, audits and systems. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 

Supported by: Industry representative groups, including Asset Management Council of Australia