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 24 February 2025. 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;

Outcome 2: Surface Transport, Road Safety, and Air Transport;

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

Airservices Australia;

Civil Aviation Safety Authority;

Australian Rail Track Corporation;

Inland Rail Pty Ltd;

Infrastructure Australia;

High Speed Rail Authority;

Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator; and

National Intermodal Corporation.

2.3The committee released the Australian Maritime Safety Authority; Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility; Western Sydney Airport Corporation, and divisions under Outcome 4 of the department from the hearing without questioning.

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 included:

projects announced during the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook Budget 2024–25 (pp. 7–9);

fifty–fifty cost share arrangement (p. 9);

cultural activities of the department (pp. 10–16 and pp. 18–19);

departmental finances (pp. 21–27);

staffing figures at the Senior Executive Service level (pp. 23–25 and p. 32);

departmental expenditure on hospitality (pp. 25–28);

advertising expenditure (pp. 29–32);

Net Zero Unit (pp. 33–35); and

Rex Airlines administration (pp. 36–41).

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 24 February 2025, and the topics discussed included:

Federal infrastructure funding updates (pp. 42–53 and pp. 89–90);

Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games infrastructure funding (pp. 53–65 and pp. 67–72);

National Road Safety data (p. 66);

Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program (pp. 90–91); and

Construction Industry Culture Taskforce (pp. 92–94).

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 24 February 2025, the committee heard evidence from divisions under Outcome 2 of the department. The committee discussed the following matters:

Brisbane Airport Master Plan and associated Major Development Plans (pp. 94–96);

Brisbane Airport flight paths and the impact on residents (pp. 96–102);

New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) (pp. 102–112);

Maritime Strategic Fleet (pp. 112–114);

ROVER administration system for the Road Vehicle Standards (RVS) legislation (pp. 114–119); and

Rex Airlines administration and the Aviation Response Taskforce (pp. 118–122).

2.7Outcome 3: Strengthening the sustainability, capacity and diversity of Australia’s cities and regions including northern Australia, 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

2.8The committee heard evidence from divisions under outcome 3 of the department on 24 February 2025 and discussed the following topics:

Housing Support Program (pp. 72–89);

Thriving Suburbs Program (pp. 79–84 and pp. 86–88);

Urban precincts and partnerships program (pp. 84–86);

Growing Regions Program (pp. 122–125); and

Stronger Community Guidelines (pp. 125–127).

Airservices Australia

2.9The committee heard evidence from Mr Rob Sharp, Chief Executive Officer and Mr Peter Curran, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Airservices Australia, on 24 February 2025. The committee discussed the following topics:

Chinese military drills in the Tasman Sea (pp. 125–127);

Brisbane Airport operations (pp. 131–132);

Hobart Airport operations (pp. 132–134); and

Air Traffic Controller staffing levels (pp. 134–136).

Civil Aviation Safety Authority

2.10The committee heard evidence from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority on 24 February 2025. The committee discussed the coronial recommendations regarding a light aircraft crash in north-eastern Victoria on 18 September 2022 (pp. 136–138).

Infrastructure Australia

2.11The committee heard evidence from Infrastructure Australia on 24 February 2025, and discussed the South Australia High Productivity Vehicle network access (pp. 138–139), and the Suburban Rail Loop evaluation (pp. 139–140).

Australian Rail Track Corporation and Inland Rail Pty Ltd

2.12Matters discussed with the Australian Rail Track Corporation and Inland Rail Pty Ltd on 24 February 2025 included updates to the Inland Rail project stages (pp. 141–143).

High Speed Rail Authority

2.13The committee heard evidence from Mr Tim Parker, Chief Executive Officer of the High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA). At its public hearing on 24 February 2025, the committee received an update on the business case for high speed rail in Australia (pp. 144–148).

Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator

2.14At the public hearing on 24 February 2025, the committee heard evidence from Dr Natalie Pelham, Chief Executive of the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator, who discussed train illumination and the Train Visibility and Level Crossing Code of Practice (pp. 148–149).

National Intermodal Corporation

2.15The committee heard evidence from Mr James Baulderstone, Chief Executive Officer of National Intermodal Corporation, on 12 February 2023. The committee discussed Beveridge Intermodal Precinct project updates (pp. 149–151).