Fiona Scott (Lindsay, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The Australian government will ensure the Nepean Valley, Western Sydney and communities right across Australia will benefit from investment in high-quality, efficient and cost-effective infrastructure. This will be achieved through Infrastructure Australia conducting rigorous and sound planning to identify quality projects and to avoid wasteful investment.

Let us be clear, Infrastructure Australia will not be the decision maker; the minister will be. However, these changes will ensure Infrastructure Australia plays a greater role in the assessment of projects and provide more-strategic advice to ministers and governments. It is critical to base project selection on rigorous analysis and sound planning in order to avoid wasteful investment. Clearly, this government is focused on long-term planning based on robust evidence-based findings through greater understanding of the critical issues facing Australia's infrastructure and land transport system. With these changes the government demonstrates it is committed to building the infrastructure of the 21st century and to ensuring Australia has the productive infrastructure it needs to meet the challenges ahead. I commend the bill to the House.

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