Following Infrastructure Minister Barnaby Joyce’ decision last week to reshuffled the board of Infrastructure Australia (IA), appoint former Tamworth mayor Col Murray (from Joyce’s own electorate) as chairman, and direct IA to adopt a greater regional and rural focus, Labor intends to commission an independent review of IA operations if it wins the next federal election.
Labor has also criticised the government’s new appointments to IA’s board. Infrastructure experts contend that IA needs a major overhaul rather than a new board, and that it needs greater powers if it is to become more effective. Martin Locke, an adjunct professor at the University of Sydney, contends that IA is seen as just an adviser and no one listens to it.
From The AFR:
