Chapter 2Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (excluding Communications and the Arts) portfolio

2.1This chapter outlines some of the key issues discussed during hearings under the Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (excluding Communications and the Arts) portfolio on 12 February 2024 and 25 March 2024. The page numbers below reference the relevant Hansard transcript.

2.2The Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee (thecommittee) heard evidence from the following areas of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (the department) and portfolio agencies:

corporate matters;

programs under Outcome 1: Infrastructure Investment;

programs under Outcome 2: Surface Transport, Road Safety, and Air Transport;

programs under Outcome 3: Regional Development, Local Government, Cities, and Growing a stronger Northern Australian Economy;

programs under outcome 4: Service to Territories;

Airservices Australia;

Australian Maritime Safety Authority;

Australian Rail Track Corporation Ltd

 Inland Rail Pty Ltd;

Australian Transport Safety Bureau;

Civil Aviation Safety Authority;

High Speed Rail Authority;

Infrastructure Australia;

Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility;

Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator; and

WSA Co Ltd.

2.3The committee released the divisions under Outcome 4 of the department from the hearing without questioning. The committee did not have time to question the National Transport Commission before adjournment.

Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

Corporate matters

2.4The committee commenced its examination of the department by examining the divisions under corporate matters. Evidence heard by the committee regarding the divisions under corporate matters included:

new vehicle efficiency standard (NVES) modelling (pp. 6–7, 11, and 16–17);

ACIL Allen Consulting contract (pp. 7–8 and 11–12);

graduate and intern programs (pp. 9–11, and 18);

workplace culture training (p. 11);

Net Zero Unit and transport decarbonisation (pp. 16–17);

Australian Public Service capability review (pp. 17–18);

flexible and hybrid working arrangements (pp. 18–19);

fuel efficiency standards (p. 19);

corporate domestic and international travel (pp. 20–21);

Qantas Chairman’s lounge memberships (p. 22);

staff leave requests (pp. 23–24); and

training and programs facilitated by unions (p. 25).

Outcome 1: Improved infrastructure across Australia through investment in and coordination of transport and other infrastructure

2.5The committee heard evidence from divisions under Outcome 1 of the department on 12 February 2024, and the topics discussed included:

Rockhampton Ring Road (pp. 25–26);

local tendering processes for construction contracts (p. 26);

corridors and construction funding movement (pp. 26–30);

Northern Australia Beef Roads Program (pp. 30–31);

main roads and bridge updates in Western Australia (pp. 31–32, and 34–35);

AUKUS infrastructure (pp. 33–34);

Outback Way upgrades (p. 34–35);

Mornington Peninsula roundabout (pp. 36–38);

Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympic Games– Gabba redevelopment and Brisbane Arena (pp.38–43);

Australian Institute of Sport future location (pp. 42–43);

Inland Rail sections completed and expansion plans (pp. 43–45);

Gold Coast rail upgrade (pp. 47–48);

Melbourne Suburban Rail Loop project (pp. 49–50);

Bridges Renewal Program (pp. 51–52); and

Roads to Recovery Program (pp. 52–54).

Outcome 2: An efficient, sustainable, competitive, safe and secure transport system for all transport users through regulation, financial assistance and safety investigations

2.6During the committee’s hearing on 12 February 2024, the committee heard evidence from divisions under Outcome 2 of the department. The committee discussed the following matters:

fuel efficiency standards (pp. 79–81, 83–88, 93–100, and 110–111);

Tasmanian Freight Equalization Scheme (pp. 81–82);

airport curfew exemptions (pp. 91–92);

the Review of the Sydney Airport Demand Management Scheme (Harris Review) (pp. 100–102);

Slot Compliance Committee (pp. 103–104); and

Aviation White Paper (pp. 105–107 and 110).

Outcome 3: Strengthening the sustainability, capacity and diversity of our cities and regional economics including through facilitating local partnerships between all levels of government and local communities; through investment in Infrastructure and measures that stimulate economic growth; and providing grants and financial assistance

2.7The committee heard evidence from divisions under outcome 3 of the department on 12 February 2024 and discussed the following topics:

Thriving Suburbs Program (pp. 111–113);

Building Better Regions Program (p. 113);

Cairns’ water security (p. 114);

White Paper refresh on Developing Northern Australia (pp. 115–117­);

Accord Review (p. 117);

Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program (p. 118);

Northern Australia Ministerial Forum (pp. 117–118);

Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct (pp. 119 and 122);

Cairns Marine Precinct (pp. 122–123);

Pilbara Ports upgrade (p. 123); and

Office of Northern Australia staffing and financials (pp. 123–124).

Airservices Australia

2.8The committee heard evidence from Mr Jason Harfield, Chief Executive Officer and Mr Peter Curran, Chief Customer and External Relations Office from Airservices Australia on 12 February 2024. The committee discussed the following topics:

Sydney Airport delays due to air traffic controller shortage (pp. 54–55 and58);

Harris Review (p. 56);

Training, hiring, safety, and voluntary redundancies of air traffic controllers (pp. 57–58, 65–69);

safety of airspace management (pp. 59–60);

workplace culture (pp. 60–62);

executive remuneration (pp. 62–63);

board reappointments (pp 63–64);

use of leaded fuel in planes (pp. 70–71);

Brisbane Airport second runway and airport noise (pp. 71–77);

descent trial (pp. 78–79); and

Hobart airport noise consultation (p. 79).

Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility

2.9At the committee’s public hearing on 12 February 2024, the committee heard evidence from Mr Craig Doyle, Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility (NAIF). The following matters were discussed:

social infrastructure in Northern Australia (p. 124);

James Cook University accommodation (pp. 124–125);

correspondence with financial institutions for housing projects (p. 125);

Critical Minerals project (pp. 125–127); and

NAIF board membership (pp. 127–128).

Infrastructure Australia

2.10The committee heard evidence from Infrastructure Australia on 12February2024 and the topics discussed are as follows: Coomera connector stage two; proposed Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) audit of the Melbourne Suburban Rail Loop project; and quarry shortages (pp. 128–130).

Australian Rail Track Corporation and Inland Rail Pty Ltd

2.11Matters discussed with the Australian Rail Track Corporation and Inland Rail Pty Ltd on 12 February 2024 included:

correspondence with High-Speed Rail Authority (p. 130);

inland rail land acquisition and completion timeline (pp. 131–132); and

Murray Basin rail line project (pp. 132–133).

Civil Aviation Safety Authority

2.12The committee heard evidence from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority on 12February 2024.The committee discussed the following topics:

Colour-vision deficiency (pp 133–136);

Qantas Chairman’s lounge executive memberships (pp. 137–139);

chronic anxiety for air safety (p. 139); and

air traffic control safety (p. 140).

Western Sydney Airport

2.13The committee heard evidence from Mr Simon Hickey, Chief Executive Officer for the Western Sydney Airport. Mr Hickey gave the committee an update on the status of road infrastructure supporting the new airport (pp. 140–141).

Australian Maritime Safety Authority

2.14At the committee’s public hearing on 12 February 2024, the committee heard from Mr Mick Kinley, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). The committee discussed the procurement process for the aids to navigation contract (pp. 141–142).

2.15On 28 February 2024, the committee agreed to hold an additional hearing to further examine AMSA on 25 March 2024. The committee discussed the following matters at the additional hearing:

revised answers to questions taken on notice during the Supplementary Budget Estimates 2023–24 public hearing (p. 2);

procurement and assessment of aids to navigation tender (pp. 3–6, 7 and

9–11);

ANAO’s review of the aids to navigation tender (pp. 6 and 8–11); and

Chief Executive Officer retirement (pp. 11–12).

Australian Transport Safety Bureau

2.16The committee heard evidence from Mr Angus Mitchell, Chief Commissioner of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau on 12 February 2023. The committee discussed train fatalities and better lighting conditions (p. 143).

Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator

2.17At the committee public hearing on 12 February 2024, the committee heard evidence from Mr Peter Doggett, acting Chief Executive Officer and discussed train fatalities at night (p. 143).

High Speed Rail Authority

2.18The committee heard evidence from Mr Tim Parker, Chief Executive Officer of the High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA). At the committee’ public hearing on 12February 2024 the committee received an update on HSRA Statement of Expectations strategic plan (pp. 143–144).