The Federal Government has appointed Cr Colin Murray as the new chair of the independent Infrastructure Australia Board, with additional appointments also made.
Vicki Meyer, Cr Vonette Mead, Amanda Cooper, Dr Vanessa Guthrie AO, Elizabeth Schmidt and Robert Moffat have also been appointed as Directors of Infrastructure Australia’s Board.
Cr Murray has more than two decades of experience in the construction industry, gained through previous roles including Chair of Regional Cities New South Wales and Deputy Chair of Regional Capitals Australia.
As Mayor of Tamworth Regional Council, he has overseen several major infrastructure projects, including a wastewater treatment plant and effluent reuse farm, major road upgrades, and the Tamworth Rail Freight Intermodal Terminal.
The Board appointments are effective 1 December 2021.
Infrastructure Australia Interim Chair, Mr Mark Balnaves welcomed the appointment of the new board members, who he says bring diverse experience and perspectives to the organisation from government and industry.
“They bring a range of diverse experiences and perspectives from cities and regions across Australia and will add to the depth and breadth of sectoral knowledge and experience of our Board,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the new appointments mean the gender ratio of the Board would be 50 per cent female.
Minister Joyce also noted that the new Board appointments were in line with a revised Statement of Expectations (SoE) – to be announced by the Federal Government in the coming weeks – which will guide the future direction of the key advisory body.
Under the revised SoE, Infrastructure Australia will have a stronger focus on rural, regional and remote infrastructure priorities, the Minister said.
“Our Government is on the side of regional Australia, and we will always fight to give regional Australians the same opportunities as people living in metropolitan areas. That includes the infrastructure needed to ensure rural, regional and remote communities can grow and prosper.
“Cr Murray is a champion of regional Australia and we look forward to him guiding Infrastructure Australia into the future.”
Infrastructure Australia is Australia’s independent infrastructure advisor, providing research and advice to governments, industry and the community on the infrastructure investments and reforms that will benefit all Australians.
For more information on Infrastructure Australia, click here.
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