IPWEA applauds Barnaby Joyce’s appointment as the new Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and Deputy Prime Minister, and looks forward to engaging with the Minister in the New Year.

IPWEA CEO Robert Fuller congratulated Mr Joyce, and voiced his confidence that these vital portfolios will benefit from Mr Joyce’s extensive experience in government.

“I will be reaching out to Mr Joyce to discuss the need for continuing investment in public infrastructure, including the importance of the Inland Rail, which presents a once in a generation opportunity to deliver for our regional communities,” he said.

Additional changes to emerge from the recent Federal Cabinet reshuffle include John McVeigh’s inclusion as Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government.

“Mr McVeigh’s experience in local government as a councillor on the Toowoomba Regional Council and his chairing of the Select Committee on Regional Development and Decentralisation is immensely encouraging,” Mr Fuller said.

Mr Fuller thanked outgoing Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Darren Chester. He also paid tribute to the successes Member for Hume Angus Taylor, now the Minister for Law Enforcement and Cyber Security, achieved in his time as Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation.

“Mr Taylor has been a strong supporter of innovation in infrastructure, demonstrating this by opening our inaugural Street Lighting and Smart Controls Conference this year,” Mr Fuller said.

IPWEA is confident the new-look cabinet will continue to keep public infrastructure as a top priority for future investment, and will continue to lobby government to achieve this.