Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I move opposition amendments (1), (4), (5) and (7):

(1) Clause 18, page 17 (after line 23), at the end of subclause (1), add:

Note: See also section 21A.

(4) Page 19 (after line 24), at the end of Subdivision B, add:

21A Cost benefit analyses to be made public

     If a direction is made under subsection 18(1) in relation to a grant for an infrastructure project, the Infrastructure Minister must:

  (a) table in each House of the Parliament, within 14 sitting days of that House after the direction is made, a copy of the evaluation by Infrastructure Australia provided to the Minister under section 19; and

  (b) within 14 days of the direction being made, ensure that the following information about the project is made available on the Infrastructure Department's website:

     (i) a description of the project;

     (ii) when the project is to start and is likely to be completed.

(5) Clause 24, page 20 (after line 26), at the end of subclause (1), add:

Note: See also section 28A.

(7) Page 22 (after line 28), at the end of Subdivision C, add:

28A Cost benefit analyses to be made public

     If a direction is made under subsection 24(1) for the purposes of making infrastructure payments for an infrastructure project, the Infrastructure Minister must:

  (a) table in each House of the Parliament, within 14 sitting days of that House after the direction is made, a copy of the evaluation by Infrastructure Australia provided to the Minister under section 25; and

  (b) within 14 days of the direction being made, ensure that the following information about the project is made available on the Infrastructure Department's website:

     (i) a description of the project;

     (ii) when the project is to start and is likely to be completed.

These amendments will ensure transparency around the decisions the government makes to fund infrastructure projects. Amendments (1) and (5) are consequential references. Amendments (4) and (7) deliver transparency that is otherwise absent from this bill.

These amendments are identical and require the infrastructure minister to make public the supporting information behind a project that is approved for a grant or payment. The infrastructure minister will be required to table the Infrastructure Australia evaluation in both houses of parliament within 14 sitting days of approval. Further details of the project will also be required to be posted on the department's website.

Consistent with Labor's approach in government and in other bills before the parliament, including the Infrastructure Australia legislation and the land transport legislation, through these amendments Labor will ensure that the evidence behind the minister's funding decisions is open to the public—and this includes cost-benefit analysis. This is consistent with concerns that have been raised by many stakeholders. It is also consistent with coalition policy. So what I say to the coalition is: vote for your policy that you said that you support before the election. These amendments before the House should be supported. They will improve what is flawed legislation. I commend them to the House.

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