Media Releases

Infrastructure First Program

Infrastructure First is a coalition of independent business and community leaders committed to raising the debate about the need to supply and maintain the community infrastructure needed for successful and fully-functioning Australian communities – both urban and regional.

Throughout 2005 Infrastructure First released three series of discussion papers authored by the members of the group which debated infrastructure provision and investment in areas including social infrastructure, energy infrastructure, land supply and development, government funding and the great water infrastructure debate.

Series One of the Discussion Papers was launched on 25 May 2005 with papers presented by Bernard Salt, Partner at KPMG, Professor John Quiggin of the University of Queensland and Graham Walker on behalf of the Housing Industry Association.

Series Two of the of discussion papers was released on 28 July 2005 at the HIA National Planning conference – Building the Nation with presentations delivered by Heather Ridout, Chief Executive of Australian Industry Group and Alan Beale, Managing Director of Elgas Limited.

Series Three was released in conjunction with the Australian Industry Group in Sydney on 15 November 2005 with papers authored by Rod Fehring, Chief Executive of Lend Lease Communities, Ms Kathryn Fagg, President Australian Building and Logistics Solutions at BlueScope Steel and Peter Crowley, Managing Director of GWA International.

The release of the third series of Discussion Papers formally draws to a close the activities of Infrastructure First. However, debate will still continue. The members of Infrastructure First and their individual organisations will continue to ensure the important issues raised through this forum remain in the public arena and garner the national attention they deserve.