The Albanese Government has begun the search for Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to drive the nation’s new High Speed Rail Authority.

The Authority commenced operations last month, with its first day of operation on 13 June, to progress the Government’s election commitment of establishing a High Speed Rail Authority to plan and develop a high speed rail network along the east coast of Australia.

Now the organisation has begun recruitment for a permanent leader to steer the Authority, whose board is chaired by Ms Jill Rossouw and supported by Ms Gillian Brown, Ms Dyan Perry OBE, Mr Ian Hunt and Mr Neil Scales OBE.

The CEO will be sourced through a merit-based process with key criteria including high level leadership and a demonstrated track record in complex transport related infrastructure. The appointment will be for a period of up to five years.

The CEO will work closely with the Board to lead the newly established Authority to advise Government on the planning, construction and operation of a transformational high speed rail network with the first stop being planning and corridor works for the Sydney to Newcastle section of the network, backed by a $500 million Australian Government commitment.

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King: “Advertising for a permanent Chief Executive Officer is an important new step in progressing high-speed rail in Australia. 

“With all the moving pieces starting to take shape, the High Speed Rail Authority continues to gain momentum, led by a team of rail and infrastructure experts.

‘We are on the lookout for an accomplished and respected leader, with the experience and expertise in managing large and complex transport infrastructure operations to progress high speed rail.”

Federal transport minister, the member for Ballarat, Catherine King has travelled to Birmingham by train with the UK’s Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper while gaining insights into high speed rail.

In Birmingham Ms King also met the Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street to be briefed on the UK’s HS2 (high speed rail) project.

“My trip to the UK offers important opportunities to leverage Britain’s considerable expertise to assist with delivering our high speed rail investment,” Ms King said in a media release issued last week.

The minister’s media release also stated:

“Australia and the United Kingdom share an ambitious vision for high-speed rail in our respective countries.

“The Australian Government is committed to the delivery of high-speed rail and has established the High Speed Rail Authority to oversee the development of a network along the east coast of Australia.

“The first priority of the Authority is planning and corridor works for the Sydney to Newcastle section of the network, which is backed by a $500 million funding commitment.

“The UK has had high-speed rail since 1976 and this trip offers the opportunity to draw on significant industry and government experience.

“High-speed rail in the UK was previously developed under the HS1 network. The new HS2 network aims to provide additional capacity, cut carbon emissions and provide better connectivity – all important shared priorities.

“It was valuable to hear from our British partners on lessons learnt from developing and delivering high-speed rail in the UK, and how these might apply to Australia.

“I am also meeting Dyan Perry, the chief executive fficer f HS1 wh I recently appointed as a member of the High Speed Rail Authority Board.

“High-speed rail is a project that requires time to build, making it crucial to learn about timeframe challenges experienced in the UK when delivering on our commitments at home in Australia.

“The Australian Government understands that managing stakeholder expectations is critical to the success of large infrastructure projects, with the British experience again offering important lessons.

“The trilateral meeting is part of a comprehensive visit to the UK, which also includes a site visit to the Birmingham Curzon Street terminus station of the new HS2 network and a visit to the headquarters of HS1 – the first high-speed railway in the UK.”