July 16th, 2023Feds ‘getting on’ with inland rail plan: King
The federal government is “getting on” with implementing its response to the recommendations in Dr Kerry Schott AO’s report, The Delivery of Inland Rail: An Independent Review the federal transport minister Catherine King MP says.
In a recent media release the Member for Ballarat, whose full portfolio is Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, said: “We are delivering on our commitment to set Inland Rail up for success by separating its governance and delivery arrangements from the Australian Rail Track Corporation’s (ARTC’s) day to day operations”.
Ms King’s statement issued this month also states: On 23 June 2023, the Government issued a new interim Statement of Expectations (SoE -attached) to ARTC. In it, the Government has reaffirmed its objectives and expectations for ARTC and the future delivery of Inland Rail.
In line with the Government’s response to Dr Schott’s review, ARTC is establishing a new subsidiary – Inland Rail Pty Ltd, which will govern the delivery of the Inland Rail.
The Australian Government is committed to ensuring Inland Rail Pty Ltd has the necessary expertise and independent oversight required to deliver on the Government’s objectives for Inland Rail.
Inland Rail Pty Ltd will have its own dedicated board of directors appointed by the ARTC. The six-member board, includes the Chair of ARTC as a non-executive director. The members of the new board have been chosen for their skills, qualifications, knowledge and experience, including in the delivery of nationally significant freight infrastructure projects.
The board of Inland Rail Pty Ltd will be chaired by Mr Robert Rust, with Ms Louise Thurgood as the Deputy Chair
The three other board members are
- Ms Erin Flaherty
- Mr James Cain
- Ms Vivienne King
Inland Rail is an important project to meet Australia’s growing freight requirements and will improve road safety and help to decarbonise the economy.
The Government is delivering on its commitment to get on with building Inland Rail, with a focus on completing the sections between Beveridge in Victoria and Parkes in NSW by 2027. When complete, the southern section of Inland Rail will increase resilience and improve supply chain productivity between Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Newcastle, the Illawarra and Adelaide.
The Australian Government also wishes to thank Mr Mark Campbell for his leadership of ARTC over the last 3 years, following the announcement that he will be stepping down from his roles as Managing Director and CEO of ARTC at the end of July. Dr Kerry Schott AO, as Acting Chair of ARTC, has thanked Mr Campbell for his contribution to the company through a number of difficult years. We wish him well with his future endeavours.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King: “We are making good on our commitment to act on the recommendations of the Independent Review of Inland Rail.
“The establishment of Inland Rail Pty Ltd and the updated Statement of Expectations, are examples of this Government getting on with the job to refresh the approach to delivering Inland Rail ensure it is adequately funded and resourced.
“I am confident in the direction provided by the Statement of Expectations and in the chosen Inland Rail Pty Ltd board members, who will bring valuable industry insights and expertise to ensure the Albanese Government delivers on its commitments to Inland Rail.”
Federal Finance Minister Katy Gallagher: “The Government has established a dedicated subsidiary company with an experienced and skilled board of directors to ensure Inland Rail is appropriately managed.
The Government’s updated Statement of Expectations brings ARTC and Inland Rail in line with highest standards of governance, transparency and accountability for corporate and government-owned entities”.
