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Infrastructure Australia Amendment (Independent Review)

Current status

This bill became law on Dec 14th, 2023.

Policy area

Transport & communications

What does this bill do?

Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. can now assess social infrastructureCommunity-facing places and services such as facilities, spaces, support services and networks, which the bill adds to what Infrastructure Australia can assess. like community facilities, spaces, services and networks as part of nationally significant infrastructureBig projects that matter to the country as a whole, not just one local area, and that Infrastructure Australia is meant to assess or advise on. planning.

Why was it introduced?

An independent reviewA separate check of Infrastructure Australia that found its role and structure were not clear enough, which is what this bill is meant to fix. found Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. lacked a clear mandate, focused functions and a fit-for-purpose governance structure. The bill responds by clarifying its role, reshaping its functions and replacing the board with three commissioners.

Broader context

After a 2022 independent reviewA separate check of Infrastructure Australia that found its role and structure were not clear enough, which is what this bill is meant to fix. found Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. needed a clearer mandate and new governance, the government introduced a 2023 bill to refocus the agency and replace its 12-member board with three commissioners. Parliament later added Senate amendments on social infrastructureCommunity-facing places and services such as facilities, spaces, support services and networks, which the bill adds to what Infrastructure Australia can assess., climate impacts, annual budget and performance statements, and regional commissionerOne of the three people who will run Infrastructure Australia under the new model instead of a 12-member board. experience before the bill passed in December 2023.

Key criticism

Critics argued the bill could make Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. less independent by replacing its 12-member board with three minister-appointed commissioners, risking weaker scrutiny and more politically driven project choices. That case was raised most strongly by Coalition speakers who opposed or only conditionally backed the bill, while some crossbench supporters mainly wanted extra transparency, consultation and conflict-of-interest safeguards.

Who supported it?

Hon Catherine King MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.

Introduced in House 22 Mar 2023
Passed House 24 May 2023
Passed Senate 05 Dec 2023
Became law 14 Dec 2023

Did it become law?

Yes

Became law 14 Dec 2023

Final passage

Passed without a counted vote

9 recorded amendment or procedural votes were found, but no counted vote on the bill itself was recorded.

Passage speed

267 days

From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step

Official record

View on APH

Parliament of Australia bill page

Meaning

What does this bill do?

  1. Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. can now assess social infrastructureCommunity-facing places and services such as facilities, spaces, support services and networks, which the bill adds to what Infrastructure Australia can assess. like community facilities, spaces, services and networks as part of nationally significant infrastructureBig projects that matter to the country as a whole, not just one local area, and that Infrastructure Australia is meant to assess or advise on. planning.

  2. Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. must consider emissions, climate targets and other climate impacts when it evaluates major infrastructure proposals.

  3. Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. must review and report each year on nationally significant projects worth more than $250 million if the CommonwealthThe federal government; on this page it is the level of government that can back projects, receive advice and be named in the reporting duties. backed them before Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. had assessed them.

  4. Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. must publish yearly budget and performance statements before the federal budget, giving Parliament and the public earlier information about infrastructure spending and results.

  5. The Act replaces the old 12-member board with a Chief CommissionerThe new lead decision-maker for Infrastructure Australia under this bill, replacing the old board chair role. and two other commissioners, and at least one commissionerOne of the three people who will run Infrastructure Australia under the new model instead of a 12-member board. must have strong regional experience or ties.

Show source excerpts
  1. social infrastructure means facilities, spaces, services or networks that support quality of life and wellbeing of communities.
    Infrastructure Australia Amendment (Independent Review) Act 2023 final Act text
  2. (8A) In performing the function mentioned in subsection (6) in relation to a proposal, Infrastructure Australia must consider what impacts the proposal, if carried out, would have on:
    Infrastructure Australia Amendment (Independent Review) Act 2023 final Act text
  3. (3) Infrastructure Australia must ensure that assessments under this section are conducted at least once in each financial year beginning on or after the commencement of this section and prepare a report on the assessment.
    Infrastructure Australia Amendment (Independent Review) Act 2023 final Act text
  4. (a) tabled in both Houses of the Parliament no later than 14 days prior to the scheduled public release of the annual Commonwealth budget each year; and
    Infrastructure Australia Amendment (Independent Review) Act 2023 final Act text
  5. (2A) In appointing the Commissioners, the Minister must ensure that at least one of the Commissioners has a substantial connection to, or substantial experience in, a regional area through business, industry or community involvement.
    Infrastructure Australia Amendment (Independent Review) Act 2023 final Act text

Context

Broader context for this bill

After a 2022 independent reviewA separate check of Infrastructure Australia that found its role and structure were not clear enough, which is what this bill is meant to fix. found Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. needed a clearer mandate and new governance, the government introduced a 2023 bill to refocus the agency and replace its 12-member board with three commissioners. Parliament later added Senate amendments on social infrastructureCommunity-facing places and services such as facilities, spaces, support services and networks, which the bill adds to what Infrastructure Australia can assess., climate impacts, annual budget and performance statements, and regional commissionerOne of the three people who will run Infrastructure Australia under the new model instead of a 12-member board. experience before the bill passed in December 2023.

  1. 22 July 2022

    Government announces an independent reviewA separate check of Infrastructure Australia that found its role and structure were not clear enough, which is what this bill is meant to fix. of Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice.

    The review was commissioned as a pre-election commitment to examine whether the national adviser on infrastructure still had the right role and structure.

    Hansard ↗
  2. 07 Dec 2022

    Independent reviewA separate check of Infrastructure Australia that found its role and structure were not clear enough, which is what this bill is meant to fix. finds Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. needs a clearer mandate and new governance

    According to debate on the bill, the review released that day found the agency lacked a clear mandate, focused functions and a fit-for-purpose governance structure.

    Hansard ↗
  3. 08 Dec 2022

    Government announces its response to the review

    The explanatory memorandum says the bill would implement parts of the government's response announced the next day to make Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. a stronger and more focused expert adviser.

    Explanatory memorandum ↗
  4. 22 Mar 2023

    Bill introduced to refocus Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice.

    The government introduced legislation to implement the independent reviewA separate check of Infrastructure Australia that found its role and structure were not clear enough, which is what this bill is meant to fix. by narrowing Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice.’s focus, changing its governance from a 12-member board to three commissioners, and giving it a clearer role in assessing nationally significant infrastructureBig projects that matter to the country as a whole, not just one local area, and that Infrastructure Australia is meant to assess or advise on..

    Australian Parliament House ↗
  5. 05 Dec 2023

    Senate adds social, climate and reporting duties

    The Senate agreed to amendments adding social infrastructureCommunity-facing places and services such as facilities, spaces, support services and networks, which the bill adds to what Infrastructure Australia can assess. to the national infrastructure definition, requiring climate-impact consideration, and creating annual budget and project-performance reporting duties.

    Senate Journals ↗
  6. 06 Dec 2023

    Parliament passes the bill

    Both houses agreed on the same text, completing passage of the changes designed to tighten independent scrutiny of major CommonwealthThe federal government; on this page it is the level of government that can back projects, receive advice and be named in the reporting duties.-backed infrastructure spending.

    Parliamentary timeline ↗
  7. 14 Dec 2023

    Royal AssentThe formal step that turns a passed bill into an Act, which is how these changes became law. makes the changes law

    Royal AssentThe formal step that turns a passed bill into an Act, which is how these changes became law. turned the bill into an Act, allowing the new functions, reporting duties and commissionerOne of the three people who will run Infrastructure Australia under the new model instead of a 12-member board. model for Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. to take effect under statute.

    Parliamentary timeline ↗

Legislative route

How did it move through Parliament?

House Senate
Introduced 22 Mar 2023

The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.

Introduced and read a first time

Second reading opened 22 Mar 2023

A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.

Second reading moved

Second reading debate 09 May 2023

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Sent to Federation Chamber for debate 09 May 2023

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Referred to Federation Chamber

Second reading debate 10 May 2023

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Second reading debate 23 May 2023

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Returned from Federation Chamber 24 May 2023

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Reported from Federation Chamber

House second reading agreed 24 May 2023

The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.

Second reading agreed to

Consideration in detail 24 May 2023

The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.

Consideration in detail debate

House third reading agreed 24 May 2023

The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber. Later message exchanges with the other chamber were still recorded afterwards.

Third reading agreed to

Introduced 13 June 2023

The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.

Introduced and read a first time

Second reading opened 13 June 2023

A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.

Second reading moved

Second reading debate 19 June 2023

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Second reading debate 07 Sept 2023

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Second reading debate 05 Dec 2023

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Senate second reading agreed 05 Dec 2023

The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.

Second reading agreed to

Senate agreed to amendment packages 05 Dec 2023

The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.

Committee of the Whole debate

Senate third reading agreed 05 Dec 2023

The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.

Third reading agreed to

House agreed to Senate amendments on Senate review 06 Dec 2023

The House dealt with Senate amendments or requests so both chambers could settle the bill in the same form. The main amendments were: The Senate defeated Senator McKenzie’s separate add-on for a one-off post-2022 commitments review 25 to 30.

Consideration of Senate message

Passed both houses 06 Dec 2023

Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.

Finally passed both Houses

Assent 14 Dec 2023

The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe formal step that turns a passed bill into an Act, which is how these changes became law., turning the bill into an Act.

Key criticism

The main case against this bill

Critics argued the bill could make Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. less independent by replacing its 12-member board with three minister-appointed commissioners, risking weaker scrutiny and more politically driven project choices. That case was raised most strongly by Coalition speakers who opposed or only conditionally backed the bill, while some crossbench supporters mainly wanted extra transparency, consultation and conflict-of-interest safeguards.

Criticism was concentrated in opposition and amendment debates rather than broad cross-party resistance.

Weaker independence and more ministerial control

The main objection was that abolishing the larger board and concentrating governance in three commissioners appointed by the minister would make Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. less independent and less willing to give frank advice, increasing the risk of politically driven funding decisions and poorer value for money.

Raised by Coalition speakers including Aaron Violi, Darren Chester and Michael McCormack Source ↗

Less regional and state representation

Opponents said moving from a 12-member board to three commissioners would narrow the mix of views inside Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. and make it less effective at recognising regional needs and state-based priorities when setting national infrastructure advice.

Raised by Nationals and Coalition MPs including Sam Birrell and Michael McCormack Source ↗

Safeguards and transparency still seen as too weak

Some supporters said the bill did not go far enough on accountability, arguing for stronger community consultation, tighter reporting, clearer economic tests before funding commitments, and stronger disclosure of conflicts of interest.

Raised by Crossbench and minor-party MPs including Kylea Tink, Allegra Spender and Elizabeth Watson-Brown Source ↗

Further sources

parlinfo.aph.gov.au ↗ openaustralia.org.au ↗

Votes

Recorded votes

How the bill itself passed

The bill passed both chambers on the voices. The counted divisions below were about amendments or procedure, not final passage.

Passed

House passed the bill

House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.

24 May 2023

Passed on the voices

In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.

Passed

Senate passed the bill

Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.

05 Dec 2023

Passed on the voices

In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.

Amendments at a glance

Amendments grouped by chamber. These cards include amendment outcomes recorded without a counted division.

House

Carried

Call out infrastructure cuts and delays

Aye 84 No 51

Passed 84 to 51. Support came from Labor and Greens. Opposition came from Liberal Party and Nationals. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

24 May 2023

The House rejected the amendment, so it did not alter the bill's second-reading motion.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 63 / 0
Unknown 15 / 21
Liberal Party 0 / 17
Nationals 0 / 12
Independent 5 / 1
Greens 1 / 0
Carried

Ensure regional representation

Aye 77 No 62

Passed 77 to 62. Support came from Labor and Greens. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

24 May 2023

The amendment was agreed to, so the bill's committee-stage provisions were changed to require regional representation.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 64 / 0
Unknown 12 / 24
Liberal Party 0 / 17
Nationals 0 / 12
Independent 0 / 8
Greens 1 / 0
Centre Alliance 0 / 1
Carried

Require forecasts and cost benefit analysis

Aye 84 No 15

Passed 84 to 15. Support came from Labor, Liberal Party, and Nationals. Opposition came from Greens, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

24 May 2023

The amendments were agreed to, strengthening the bill's assessment and reporting settings for major infrastructure proposals.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 61 / 0
Unknown 15 / 6
Independent 0 / 7
Liberal Party 7 / 0
Greens 0 / 1
Centre Alliance 0 / 1
Nationals 1 / 0
Carried

Stop projects that do not stack up

Aye 64 No 14

Passed 64 to 14. Support came from Labor, Liberal Party, and Nationals. Opposition came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

24 May 2023

The House agreed to the question, so the bill continued with a stronger emphasis on rejecting poor-value projects.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 53 / 0
Unknown 7 / 6
Independent 0 / 7
Liberal Party 3 / 0
Greens 0 / 1
Nationals 1 / 0
Carried

Publish annual infrastructure statements

Aye 50 No 16

Passed 50 to 16. Support came from Labor and Nationals. Opposition came from Greens, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

24 May 2023

The amendments were agreed to, adding routine reporting and publication duties to the bill.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 41 / 0
Unknown 7 / 6
Independent 0 / 8
Nationals 2 / 0
Greens 0 / 1
Centre Alliance 0 / 1
Carried

Hear multicultural communities

Aye 51 No 16

Passed 51 to 16. Support came from Labor and Nationals. Opposition came from Greens, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

24 May 2023

The amendments were agreed to, broadening the bill's consultation and representation themes.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 44 / 0
Unknown 6 / 6
Independent 0 / 8
Greens 0 / 1
Centre Alliance 0 / 1
Nationals 1 / 0
Carried

Tighten conflict and disclosure rules

Aye 48 No 16

Passed 48 to 16. Support came from Labor and Nationals. Opposition came from Greens, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

24 May 2023

The House agreed to the amendments, strengthening integrity requirements in the bill.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 42 / 0
Unknown 5 / 6
Independent 0 / 8
Greens 0 / 1
Centre Alliance 0 / 1
Nationals 1 / 0
Carried

Open commissioner appointments

Aye 57 No 16

Passed 57 to 16. Support came from Labor, Liberal Party, and Nationals. Opposition came from Greens, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

24 May 2023

The amendments were agreed to, improving the bill's appointment process settings.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 46 / 0
Unknown 9 / 6
Independent 0 / 8
Greens 0 / 1
Centre Alliance 0 / 1
Liberal Party 1 / 0
Nationals 1 / 0
Carried

House accepted all Senate amendments

The House agreed to the amendments made by the Senate, so the bill could pass both chambers in the same form.

Carried on voices

The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.

Hansard record ↗

Senate

Defeated

Assess post-2022 commitments

Aye 25 No 30

Defeated 25 to 30. Support came from Liberal Party, UAP, Nationals, and Jacqui Lambie Network. Opposition came from Greens, Labor, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

05 Dec 2023

The amendment would have made Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. review recent federal commitments and table that assessment, but the Senate defeated it.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Liberal Party 17 / 0
UAP 1 / 0
Nationals 3 / 0
Unknown 1 / 1
Jacqui Lambie Network 2 / 0
One Nation 1 / 0
Greens 0 / 8
Labor 0 / 19
Independent 0 / 2
Carried

Senate adds social and reporting duties

The Senate agreed on voices to Opposition and Greens amendments adding regional commissionerOne of the three people who will run Infrastructure Australia under the new model instead of a 12-member board. experience, annual infrastructure statements, social infrastructureCommunity-facing places and services such as facilities, spaces, support services and networks, which the bill adds to what Infrastructure Australia can assess. recognition and related assessment duties.

Carried on voices

The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.

Hansard record ↗

Carried

Climate-impact assessment added

The Senate agreed on voices to require Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. to consider emissions, climate targets and related policy issues when evaluating proposals.

Carried on voices

The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.

Hansard record ↗

Carried

Annual infrastructure statements added

The Senate agreed on voices to require annual infrastructure budget and performance statements before the federal budget.

Carried on voices

The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.

Hansard record ↗

Carried

Regional commissionerOne of the three people who will run Infrastructure Australia under the new model instead of a 12-member board. requirement added

The Senate agreed on voices to require at least one commissionerOne of the three people who will run Infrastructure Australia under the new model instead of a 12-member board. to have a strong regional connection or substantial regional experience.

Carried on voices

The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.

Hansard record ↗

Defeated

Public interests register defeated

The Senate rejected on voices a proposal that each commissionerOne of the three people who will run Infrastructure Australia under the new model instead of a 12-member board. publicly disclose all pecuniary and other interests that conflict, or could conflict, with their duties.

Defeated on voices

The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.

Hansard record ↗

Carried

Social infrastructureCommunity-facing places and services such as facilities, spaces, support services and networks, which the bill adds to what Infrastructure Australia can assess. amendments carried

The Senate agreed on voices to the Greens package adding social infrastructureCommunity-facing places and services such as facilities, spaces, support services and networks, which the bill adds to what Infrastructure Australia can assess. to the national infrastructure definition and related assessment and reporting duties, excluding the defeated McKenzie add-on.

Carried on voices

The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.

Hansard record ↗

These are amendment votes, not the final passage vote on the bill itself. The bill passed both chambers on the voices.

The parliamentary record also shows 2 Opposition, 6 Australian Greens amendments agreed without a counted division.

Parliamentary debate

Who spoke, and what they said

Start here — lead voices

Sponsor speech Supports

Catherine King

Australian Labor Party • MP 22 Mar 2023

Ms King supports the bill, saying it will implement the independent reviewA separate check of Infrastructure Australia that found its role and structure were not clear enough, which is what this bill is meant to fix. and restore Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. as a stronger, more focused source of independent advice for national infrastructure decisions.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead opposing voice Opposes

Malcolm Roberts

Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party • Senator 07 Sept 2023

Roberts opposes the bill, saying it guts Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice., replaces expert oversight with bureaucrats, and will be used to push Labor's climate agenda rather than real infrastructure.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead supporting voice Supports

Gerard Rennick

Liberal Party • Senator 07 Sept 2023

Rennick supports the bill and uses the debate to attack Labor for downgrading infrastructure and cutting major projects.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead non-major voice Supports

Dai Le

Independent • MP 23 May 2023

Dai Le supports the bill and wants Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. strengthened so it is more independent, transparent and credible, but says the government should adopt more of the review’s recommendations.

Read in Hansard ↗

All speeches by bloc

Labor

9 speakers · 10 contributions · 9 support

  1. Brian Mitchell Mitchell supports the bill and says it will restore Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. as an independent, expert adviser on major infrastructure decisions after the former coalition weakened it.
    “I come back to the point I made originally: Infrastructure Australia is the brainchild of the Prime Minister, the then infrastructure minister. He set it up to be an independent, expert advisory body. It had a fantastic reputation, but then over nine years of Liberal-National government it was whittled away until it became a shell of its former self. Full marks to Minister King. She is breathing new life into it. She is bringing it back to what it should be: independent and expert. That's how we're going to make our decisions on infrastructure in this country, for the right reasons: to deliver growth, to deliver jobs and to deliver prosperity to our regions, cities and suburbs. The whole reason the Prime Minister, when he was a minister in the former government, delivered Infrastructure Australia was to take the politics out of infrastructure projects, taking sound advice from experts in the field on projects of national significance. That's what this bill will do. It will give Infrastructure Australia its purpose back. I commend the bill to the House.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 10 May 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Glenn Sterle Sterle supports the bill and says it will implement the independent reviewA separate check of Infrastructure Australia that found its role and structure were not clear enough, which is what this bill is meant to fix. of Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. by making the agency a stronger, more focused and genuinely independent adviser.
    “The bill will help to reduce duplication with the states and territories by requiring IA to develop a nationally consistent framework for evaluating infrastructure proposals enabling IA to endorse project evaluations conducted by state and territory governments. The bill also makes changes to the governance arrangements of IA. Instead of a board, which we saw with the previous government, IA will be governed by three commissioners, including a chief commissioner and a chief executive officer, the CEO.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 07 Sept 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. Nita Green Nita Green supports the bill and says it will restore independent, merit-based infrastructure decisions after years of political rorting under the former government.
    “Finally, the last project I want to mention is the Captain Cook Highway in Far North Queensland because this is an upgrade of a really important road. It is the road I use to drive to get to work every single day when I am home in Far North Queensland. In 2019, the member for Leichhardt, a member of the former government, announced they would bust conjunction on the Captain Cook Highway. Under the former government, not a single piece of dirt was moved. Nothing was built under the former government. But under the Labor government getting to work, sitting down and working with the Queensland government, we are finally delivering upgrades to the Captain Cook Highway and to Smithfield. It will link up to the Smithfield bypass. Finally, all of those people that were promised this years ago and saw nothing happen under the former government will finally see this infrastructure delivered. That's the difference when you get down and you work with people, and you make sure that you are working with states and territories, providing independent infrastructure that communities need. That's what this bill is about and I commend the bill to the Senate.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 07 Sept 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  4. Catherine King ★ 2 contributions Ms King supports the bill and says it implements the independent reviewA separate check of Infrastructure Australia that found its role and structure were not clear enough, which is what this bill is meant to fix. of Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. to restore the agency as the CommonwealthThe federal government; on this page it is the level of government that can back projects, receive advice and be named in the reporting duties.'s premier infrastructure adviser with a clearer mandate and better governance.

    Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Catherine King on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.

    Minister's second reading speech Australian Labor Party • MP • 22 Mar 2023

    Ms King supports the bill, saying it will implement the independent reviewA separate check of Infrastructure Australia that found its role and structure were not clear enough, which is what this bill is meant to fix. and restore Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. as a stronger, more focused source of independent advice for national infrastructure decisions. She argues the changes will improve alignment with government priorities while preserving statutory independence.

    “This bill makes important changes to the Infrastructure Australia Act to provide the framework for implementing the government's response to the review's recommendations.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗

    Second reading speech Australian Labor Party • MP • 23 May 2023

    Ms King supports the bill and says it implements the independent reviewA separate check of Infrastructure Australia that found its role and structure were not clear enough, which is what this bill is meant to fix. of Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. to restore the agency as the CommonwealthThe federal government; on this page it is the level of government that can back projects, receive advice and be named in the reporting duties.'s premier infrastructure adviser with a clearer mandate and better governance. She argues it will improve advice and remove unnecessary processes, and she says the government will not support the second reading amendment moved by the opposition.

    “Whilst the bill implements the recommendations of the independent review of IA, requiring legislative changes, a new statement of expectations will be issued to Infrastructure Australia to implement the remaining recommendations of the review. Together these changes will re-establish Infrastructure Australia as the Commonwealth's expert adviser on infrastructure of national significance. I'd like to again thank members for their contributions.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
  5. Julian Hill Hill supports the bill, saying it will restore Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. to an independent advisory role and improve how national projects are assessed.
    “This bill amends Infrastructure Australia's legislation to ensure that it advises the government and actually assesses projects of national significance. The changes respond to an independent review by Nicole Lockwood and Mike Mrdak, AO, former secretary of the department. They'll provide greater alignment between Infrastructure Australia's work program and advice to government, which needs to make informed investment decisions, not just make stuff up and announce stuff by press release.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 23 May 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  6. Rob Mitchell Rob Mitchell supports the bill because he says it strengthens Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. as an independent expert adviser and removes political interference from major project decisions.
    “Today, I proudly rise to support the Infrastructure Australia Amendment (Independent Review) Bill 2023, because this Labor government committed to upholding and improving the independent advisory body, Infrastructure Australia. We are doing this to make sure that investments in Australia's future infrastructure will always be what needs to be done to continue building and moving our great nation. This will keep us powering ahead and establishing projects that will outlive us and serve generations of Australians to come.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 10 May 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  7. Anthony Chisholm Chisholm supports the bill, saying it will restore Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. as an independent expert adviser with a clearer purpose, streamlined functions and stronger governance.
    “Together these changes will re-establish Infrastructure Australia as the Commonwealth expert adviser on infrastructure of national significance. I would again like to thank senators for their constructive contributions in consideration of this bill. I commend the bill to the chamber.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 05 Dec 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  8. Shayne Neumann Shayne Neumann supports the bill and says an independent reviewA separate check of Infrastructure Australia that found its role and structure were not clear enough, which is what this bill is meant to fix. of Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. is needed to restore merit based, evidence based decision-making and fix problems left by the previous government.
    “I commend the bill. I thank the minister for initiating it. Infrastructure is absolutely vital in the place where I live, a big regional and rural seat where road is king.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 10 May 2023

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  9. Anne Stanley Stanley supports the bill and says it will strengthen Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. by making its governance more independent, merit based and focused on nationally significant projects.
    “Infrastructure Australia was established by a Labor government, and clearly it's a Labor government that will strengthen it further. This bill goes towards ensuring that Australia's infrastructure projects are built based on need, where they will have the best economic benefits for the economy and where they will have jobs for our future. I thank the minister for infrastructure for her work in ensuring that Infrastructure Australia can continue to inform the government on the nation-building infrastructure we need, and I commend the bill to the House.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 10 May 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

Coalition

14 speakers · 4 support · 6 oppose · 4 mixed

  1. Gerard Rennick ★ Rennick supports the bill and uses the debate to attack Labor for downgrading infrastructure and cutting major projects.
    “I'm glad to speak to the Infrastructure Amendment (Independent Review) Bill 2023 today because it is an absolute disgrace that we are trying to downgrade the importance of infrastructure in this country. All good governments know that you should be building infrastructure, and yet on that side of the chamber we've got a Labor government under Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, that doesn't want to prioritise building infrastructure.”

    Liberal Party • Senator • 07 Sept 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Bridget McKenzie McKenzie says the coalition will support the bill, but only with amendments to strengthen transparency, scrutiny, and Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice.'s independence.
    “The coalition will be supporting the passage of this legislation with key amendments. We want to help the government to improve Infrastructure Australia's ability to inform government on national infrastructure priorities and to help inform public debate. Without our amendments and those of other senators, the bill as proposed by the government doesn't go far enough to provide that transparency regarding the nation's infrastructure needs or government priorities.”

    National Party • Senator • 05 Dec 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. Barnaby Joyce Joyce backs stronger regional infrastructure and says the government is short-sighted for neglecting it.
    “I conclude by saying if we have a government that wants to be a government for all, it must, once it obtains the Treasury benches, put aside its parochialism and partisanship and say, 'Actually, we have to govern for all people now, not just the people in our seats; therefore, regional infrastructure is vital for the growth and sustenance of our nation.'”

    National Party • MP • 10 May 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  4. Darren Chester Chester says the coalition will not block the bill and will support it with amendments, but he argues it makes Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. less independent and less authoritative.
    “The coalition firmly believes Infrastructure Australia is an important body, and it's important that parliament provides the organisation with a clear mandate for its future activities. In this regard, the federal coalition does not seek to frustrate passage of the government's legislation—albeit there are concerns that this bill will result in Infrastructure Australia being less independent and less authoritative. The coalition proposes to support the legislation with amendments which will be designed to ensure that the commissioners have experience on the issues of regional communities and provide transparency where, contrary to its pre-election commitments, the government makes nationally significant infrastructure and investment decisions without obtaining advice from this body.”

    National Party • MP • 09 May 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  5. Aaron Violi Violi opposes the bill, arguing it would make Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. less independent by concentrating appointments in the minister and weakening frank advice.
    “Overall we recognise that there have been significant issues with the operation of Infrastructure Australia and, as a result of the government's leadership, there were five resignations from the board in September 2020. But I'm deeply concerned that this bill will result in an Infrastructure Australia that is less independent and more authoritative, resulting in infrastructure that will not be value for money for taxpayers and will not deliver the much-needed productivity gains for our economy.”

    Liberal Party • MP • 10 May 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  6. Sam Birrell Birrell says the Nationals will support the bill with amendments, but he argues the changes weaken Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice.’s independence and regional representation.
    “Those opposite have demonstrated in government that they don't really care about regional infrastructure. That's why we need a strong, independent Infrastructure Australia, a body with regional representation and a focus beyond capital cities. That's why we support this legislation with amendments to achieve the best structure.”

    National Party • MP • 10 May 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  7. Paul Scarr Scarr opposes the bill, saying it weakens Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. by ignoring key review recommendations on broader remit, transparency, and accountability.
    “This Infrastructure Australia bill has all the hallmarks of an increasingly centralised decision-making process that doesn't represent the needs of all of Australia, a lack of accountability, a lack of transparency, and government arrangements which, to be frank, are not fit for purpose for such an important body.”

    Liberal Party • Senator • 07 Sept 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  8. Michael McCormack McCormack opposes the bill because he says replacing Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice.’s 12-member board with three ministerial commissioners would make the body less independent and reduce the range of state and regional views.
    “Infrastructure Australia plays an important role. It was established by Labor in 2008 when the now Prime Minister, as I mentioned in my introductory remarks, was the infrastructure minister. The reason I say it's a slight on the Prime Minister is that this is his baby. I've heard the member for Grayndler speak eloquently—I'll say—but passionately about the role of Infrastructure Australia, and yet now what we see is the board of 12 being replaced by three commissioners appointed by the minister. This provides less authority for the infrastructure priorities of nation.”

    National Party • MP • 10 May 2023

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  9. Matt O'Sullivan Matt O'Sullivan says the opposition will work constructively with the government on the bill and seeks amendments rather than opposing it outright.
    “I rise to speak on the Infrastructure Australia Amendment (Independent Review) Bill 2023. I want to support what Senator McKenzie was saying, that we'll work constructively with the government to get, hopefully, some amendments through.”

    Liberal Party • Senator • 05 Dec 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  10. Andrew Wallace Andrew Wallace opposes the bill because he says the independent reviewA separate check of Infrastructure Australia that found its role and structure were not clear enough, which is what this bill is meant to fix. is really a cover for cuts and will put Sunshine Coast infrastructure projects at risk.
    “And we all know what that means. When the Labor government talks about doing a review into infrastructure, what are they really talking about?”

    Liberal National Party • MP • 23 May 2023

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  11. Henry Pike Pike says the opposition will support the bill’s passage with amendments, but argues it strips Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. of independence and turns it into a much more government-directed body.
    “Infrastructure Australia is an important body. It is important that the parliament provides the organisation with a clear mandate for its future operations. In this regard, the opposition does not seek to frustrate passage of the government's legislation; however, there are real concerns that this bill will result in an Infrastructure Australia that's far less independent and less authoritative. The opposition proposes to support the passage of the legislation with amendments, and I commend those amendments to the House.”

    Liberal National Party • MP • 23 May 2023

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  12. Susan McDonald McDonald says the coalition will not try to block the bill, but will move amendments because the government’s changes make Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. less independent and less authoritative.
    “The federal coalition does not seek to frustrate the passage of the government's legislation; however, we must. We will be putting forward amendments to this bill. This—”

    National Party • Senator • 19 June 2023

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  13. James Stevens Stevens says the opposition will support its second reading amendment but is strongly against the bill, arguing it strips transparency and independence from Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. and undermines proper long-term planning.
    “With those comments, we have an excellent amendment to this second reading, which we will support. We obviously have very serious concerns about what this bill effectively does, which is remove so much important transparency and important governance principles and take away what we should all want when it comes infrastructure that is vitally important, which is a proper long-term plan that is independent and about value for taxpayers' dollars.”

    Liberal Party • MP • 23 May 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  14. Slade Brockman Brockman opposes the bill because he says the government's infrastructure review delayed projects, pushed up costs and cut regional Western Australian works.
    “We require a big and sustained infrastructure spend to allow for that growth to continue, to allow Western Australia to be its best. And what do we get from this federal government, when it came into power? It sits on the hose.”

    Liberal Party • Senator • 05 Dec 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

Greens

2 speakers · 2 support

  1. Janet Rice Rice says the Greens will support the bill because it improves scrutiny and planning for infrastructure projects, but she wants amendments to strengthen transparency and ensure major projects, including the Melbourne Suburban Rail Loop, are independently reviewed.
    “The Greens will be supporting this bill. However, there are improvements that we would like to see made to it, so I foreshadow that I will move some amendments during the committee stage. We support the proposals that the government have put forward to improve scrutiny and planning for infrastructure projects, but there is still more to be done.”

    Australian Greens • Senator • 07 Sept 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Elizabeth Watson-Brown Watson-Brown supports the bill as a small but useful step toward making Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. more functional, but says it must be protected from fossil fuel influence and backed by stronger safeguards.
    “The fact that the government commissioned an independent review into Infrastructure Australia, and has brought this legislation to try to make it a more functional body, appears to be a decent and timely albeit small step in the right direction. We clearly need a functioning Infrastructure Australia to provide high-quality independent advice on government infrastructure projects. But—and this is a very big 'but'—that means it's got to be independent not just of political partisanship, which the bill seeks to rectify, but also of corporate partisanship, especially that of fossil fuel corporations.”

    Australian Greens • MP • 10 May 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

One Nation

1 speaker · 1 oppose

  1. Malcolm Roberts ★ Roberts opposes the bill, saying it guts Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice., replaces expert oversight with bureaucrats, and will be used to push Labor's climate agenda rather than real infrastructure.
    “This bill guts the Infrastructure Australia board, reducing the number from 12 people who know about infrastructure and business to three people for whom there is no requirement to know anything about infrastructure—nothing. I expect the government to appoint three bureaucrats who appreciate that advancement in the Public Service is based on giving the government whatever it wants to hear. To call that an impartial board is a joke.”

    Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party • Senator • 07 Sept 2023

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Minor parties and independents

6 speakers · 6 support

  1. Dai Le ★ Dai Le supports the bill and wants Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. strengthened so it is more independent, transparent and credible, but says the government should adopt more of the review’s recommendations.
    “I'm sure this is not the vision our Prime Minister had for the body when, as the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government at the time, he set up Infrastructure Australia in 2009. Therefore, I fully support the current minister's goal of bringing integrity back to Infrastructure Australia. The government needs to consider further accountability and transparency to safeguard it for future generations, not just for this government but beyond.”

    Independent • MP • 23 May 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Kate Chaney Chaney supports the bill because she says it will improve transparency, accountability, and evidence based infrastructure planning by strengthening Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice..
    “In conclusion, I will be supporting the bill because I believe that, if it is used as intended, it will contribute to greater transparency and accountability in government decision-making. Depoliticising major infrastructure investment is consistent with better long-term, evidence based planning. I will be using my position on the crossbench to continue to monitor the implementation of this bill to ensure that its intentions are met.”

    Independent • MP • 23 May 2023

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  3. Kylea Tink Tink supports the bill and says it is a useful first step, but argues it should go further on transparency and community consultation.
    “As it stands, the legislation recognises the role and importance of giving consumers a voice in the process when it comes to ideating infrastructure projects, but the reality is that not all consumers will always be of the community most impacted. Consumers use the roads, consumers use the bridges, consumers use the sporting facilities, but it is communities who live with the consequences of them, and they deserve to be heard. It is therefore for good reason that I believe this legislation will be strengthened by specifically acknowledging and recognising the important role community consultation plays in delivering best-in-class infrastructure projects. It is time we started approaching major infrastructure projects like these differently—with transparency, true community consultation, sustainability and integrity at the heart of them. I look forward to presenting my amendments during the consideration in detail debate.”

    Independent • MP • 10 May 2023

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  4. Zali Steggall Steggall supports the bill and says it will improve transparency, accountability and independent advice in infrastructure planning.
    “The Infrastructure Australia Amendment (Independent Review) Bill 2023 is nevertheless a good start for investing in a more sustainable future and making sure that investment is directed at our highest priority areas for infrastructure.”

    Independent • MP • 10 May 2023

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  5. Monique Ryan Ryan supports the bill and says it is an important step toward making Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. more independent, transparent and focused on better national infrastructure decisions.
    “Overall, though, this bill is an exciting and important step in the right direction, and so I conclude by endorsing the words of Jennifer Westacott from the Business Council of Australia: 'Australians need the right infrastructure, in the right places and delivered at the right time, and that means government needs to have access to the best independent advice.' I commend this bill to the Chamber.”

    Independent • MP • 10 May 2023

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  6. Allegra Spender Spender supports the bill because she says it strengthens Infrastructure AustraliaThe federal body this bill changes; on this page it is the national adviser that assesses major infrastructure proposals and gives government advice. with a clearer mandate and better processes.
    “We have the opportunity now to bridge the gap between our reality and our aspirations for Infrastructure Australia. This bill would certainly help that. It implements some of the recommendations of the independent review of Infrastructure Australia, providing it with a clear mandate and improved processes, which I support. But the bill could go further. It could also require that a positive economic evaluation is required from Infrastructure Australia before the government could commit any public funding for major projects. This would prevent cherrypicking, it would prevent pork-barrelling and it would prevent waste. It is an amendment that should have the Prime Minister's support, because it is an amendment that he moved in 2014 to a previous Infrastructure Australia bill. At the time, he said, 'This government, if it is fair dinkum, should support these amendments.' I couldn't agree with him more. This amendment is entirely consistent with the principles the Prime Minister identified: transparency, proper analysis, finite resources and productivity. I hope that, when we move into the consideration stage, the Prime Minister will support this amendment, support his amendment and bring Infrastructure Australia closer to what it needs to be.”

    Independent • MP • 10 May 2023

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