The recent creation of the Significant Project Investment Delivery Office (SPIDO) in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications reflects the Australian Government's appetite for becoming a more active investor as well as a responsible steward in infrastructure.
The SPIDO is a dedicated infrastructure project delivery agency staffed by people with expertise in project policy, planning and delivery. The role of SPIDO complements the capability of the Infrastructure and Project Financing Agency, which is focused on both commercial and financial advisory. This new capability represents an important first step and longer-term commitment by the Australian Government to infrastructure delivery.
The full benefits of the SPIDO will take time to realise, given the complexity of the challenges it is responding to and the time it will take to build the associated knowledge, skills and capability, particularly in relation to large-scale projects.130
Over time, the work of the SPIDO could support a more substantive and consistent project delivery capability within government. This would include complementary measures such as:
• establishing a body of project experts to support Jurisdictions
• creating standardised best practice guidance material
• developing systems and processes to support whole-of-life cost and schedule benchmarking
• proactively identifying, mitigating or managing risk
• increasing returns on investment through specifications based on sustainability, performance and leveraging technology
• deploying in-house specialists and expertise to manage risk and build skills and knowledge across projects nationally
• building a knowledge hub of best practice guidance that supports delivery across projects and sectors.
This new government capability will also be well-positioned to provide transparent advice on shortlists for appointments to the boards of relevant government business enterprises to support infrastructure project delivery. Having a clear view of the balance of skills and experience required to maximise board performance will deliver greater value for money through project delivery and ensure Australian Government interests are well represented.