Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese said that Deegan, in working with the board of IA and with the support of a small team of professionals, had strengthened the organisation’s independence and delivered advice of the highest standard.

“Over its first five years, Infrastructure Australia has driven significant reforms to the way our nation plans, assesses, finances, builds and uses the infrastructure it needs to compete in the 21st century,” Mr Albanese said.

After completing the first ever audit of the nation’s infrastructure, IA successfully implemented a National Priority List to guide investment into nationally significant projects. It also developed national public-private partnership (PPP) guidelines and finalised long-term blueprints for a national, integrated and multimodal transport system.

Over the next five years, IA plans to continue implementing reforms that will cut red tape, promote greater competition within the construction sector and create a seamless national economy.