The final hearings for the parliamentary infrastructure procurement inquiry will see investors, government departments and small to medium enterprise groups discuss key issues in the industry’s future.
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities will hold a series of video conference public hearings on Wednesday 10 November, Tuesday 16 November and Thursday 18 November 2021.
The committee will examine the opportunities and challenges presented by the Australian Government’s $110 billion commitment to major infrastructure projects over the next decade, and the central role this pipeline will play in Australia’s post-pandemic economic recovery.
Committee Chair, John Alexander, said, “These nation-building infrastructure projects will be challenging to deliver given their scale, so it’s critical that we’re smart in sequencing and coordinating our capital investment.
“We also need to get more innovative in our project and contract management to ensure that small to medium Australian businesses have the opportunity not just to contribute but to thrive in delivering infrastructure.
“That’s why we’ll be focusing on investors and small to medium business groups in these hearings.
“And finally, it’s vital that we also hear from Infrastructure Australia and key government departments to test the ideas generated so far by this inquiry.”
Groups appearing on 10 November include IFM Investors, Plenary Group Holdings and Hughes et al, while the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and Apricity Finance Group will feature in an afternoon panel discussion on small and medium enterprises.
Taking centre stage on 16 November will be the Business Council of Australia, JNT Consulting, Mace Group, the Australian Institute of Building, and North Projects, followed by a panel discussion on sustainability and renewables involving the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia, the Green Building Council of Australia, and Tindo Solar.
Lastly, on 18 November, the committee will hear from Infrastructure Australia, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, and the Department of Finance.
The terms of reference and submissions received, as well as programs for the hearings, are available on the Committee’s website.
Interested members of the public will be able to view proceedings via the live webcast at aph.gov.au/live.
