Senate Infrastructure Inquiry to examine Tasmania’s infrastructure issues

Tommorow in Hobart, Greens spokesperson for Finance, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, will be chairing a hearing examining the issues around the financing of public infrastructure in Australia. Senator Nick McKim will also be in attendance focussing on the Hobart Light Rail.

The Inquiry has previously heard from John Hewson, Saul Eslake, investors, local government representatives, the property industry, and a number of academics about the pathways available to boost financing of public infrastructure. Tomorrow’s hearing will hear evidence about emerging Tasmanian projects like the Hobart Light Rail and an Antarctic precinct.

What: Public hearing of the Select Committee into the Scrutiny of Government Budget Measures – Infrastructure
Where: Parliament House Tasmania, Room 1, Salamanca Place, Hobart
When: 9AM to 2:30PM Friday 6th of November

Witnesses:
• 9.00 am Glenorchy City Council Mayor Kristie Johnston
• 9.45 am Southern Tasmanian Councils Authority. Lord Mayor Ms Sue Hickey, Chair of STCA Mayor Deirdre Flint OAM, Board Member of STCA. Mr Brenton West, Chief Executive Officer
• 10.45 am Morning Tea
• 11.00 am Hobart International Airport
• Ms Melinda Percival, General Manager Corporate Affairs
• 11.45 am Luti Consulting. Mr James McIntosh, Transport Planner and Economist
• 12.30 pm Lunch
• 1.15 pm The Tasmanian Polar Network. Mr John Brennan, Chairman
• 2.00 pm Hobart Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group Mr Ben Johnston, President
• 2.30 pm Adjournment

The Inquiry is looking into issues such as:

• current trends in the levels of public infrastructure and private capital investment;
• changes to productivity and well-being projected to result from public infrastructure investment;
• long-term economic impact of public infrastructure investment, including private sector investment that leverages off public infrastructure provision;
• capacity for the budget to absorb debt to fund infrastructure;
• potential funding mechanisms for public infrastructure investment, including infrastructure bonds and sovereign wealth funds; and
• potential funding sources for public infrastructure investment, including superannuation funds.
Greens spokesperson for Finance, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson