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2010-2011-2012-2013
THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
INFRASTRUCTURE (PRIORITY FUNDING) AMENDMENT BILL 2013
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
(Circulated by authority of Adam Bandt MP)
INFRASTRUCTURE (PRIORITY FUNDING) AMENDMENT BILL 2013
OUTLINE
Major Infrastructure projects have long lead times and require substantial investment.
Commonwealth investment in infrastructure is increasingly important in determining which major
projects proceed.
Successive Commonwealth Governments have given greater priority to the funding of major road
projects over funding of rail. As a result Australia's rail infrastructure does not met the needs of the
modern economy.
Infrastructure Australia was established by the Infrastructure Australia Act 2008 to assist the
Commonwealth in identifying and prioritising funding for major infrastructure projects. Despite this
objective no requirement was placed on the Commonwealth in the Act to follow the priorities
identified by Infrastructure Australia.
This bill - the Infrastructure (Priority Funding) Amendment Bill - will prioritise Commonwealth
funding of rail projects identified by Infrastructure Australia over major road projects. Important
exemptions are including in the bill for projects in relation to road safety, as well as exempting
existing projects.
FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT
The Bill has no financial impact.
STATEMENT OF COMPATIBILITY WITH HUMAN RIGHTS
Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011
This Bill is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the
international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011
.
INFRASTRUCTURE (PRIORITY FUNDING) AMENDMENT BILL 2013
NOTES ON CLAUSES
Clause 1: Short title
Clause 1 is a formal provision specifying the short title of the Act.
Clause 2: Commencement
The Act commences on the day after the Act receives the Royal Assent.
Clause 3: Schedule(s)
This clause gives effect to the provisions in Schedule 1 of the Bill.
Schedule 1 - Amendments
Item 1 inserts a new section 5A into the Infrastructure Australia Act 2008
The section requires the Minister to prioritise the funding of Infrastructure projects listed on
Infrastructure Australia's national priority list as ready to proceed ahead of other infrastructure
projects related to road, with the exception of exempted road projects.
For example, Commonwealth funding for the Melbourne Metro, which is listed as a `ready to
proceed' project on the National priority list, would be accorded priority over funding for the
Victorian East-West tollway, which is not listed as ready to proceed.
Road projects that are exempted from this order of priority are defined in the new section as those
designed to address an urgent or significant road safety issue; or on which construction has already
begun at the time this Act commences.
For example, Commonwealth funded Black Spot programs or existing projects such as the
Melbourne Ring Road upgrade would be exempt from the priority ordering in this section.