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Action for Public Transport (N.S.W.) Inc.
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Infrastructure NSW - Independent, but unbiased?
posted Friday 18 May 2012
On being elected to office in NSW in March 2011, the O'Farrell government set up a new body, Infrastructure NSW, to advise it on the infrastructure needs of the state. Mr O'Farrell was keen to point out that the new advisory body was independent of government. But is it unbiased? That is, will INSW ensure that the projects it recommends be built are in the best interests of the people of NSW, or might it tend to favour vested interests? Given the make up of its board, APT suspects it may be the latter.
The Chairman of INSW is Mr Nick Greiner, former premier of NSW and director of a number of companies, including those in the construction industry.
The Chief Executive is Mr Paul Broad. He has repeatedly and publicly advocated the extension and expansion of Sydney's urban motorways.
Board members include:
- Max Moore-Wilton - former Secretary to the Department of Prime Minister (Howard) and Cabinet and now Chairman of Sydney Airport Corporation. The corporation currently gets 18% of its revenue from car parking - $98 million in 2010-11.
- Roger Fletcher - Managing Director of Fletcher International Exports, Director of the Australian Meat Industry Council, and Chairman of the National Export Lamb, Sheep and Goat Industries Council. Mr Fletcher is an outspoken advocate for a road tunnel under the Blue Mountains.
- Rod Pearse - has held senior roles with companies including Boral, Shell, and CSR.
- Carolyn Kay - a director of Brambles, and other companies.
- David Gonski - on a number of company boards, including Coca Cola Amatil.
- Chris Eccles - Director General, Department of Premier and Cabinet.
- Philip Gaetjens - Secretary, NSW Treasury.
- Mark Paterson - Director General, Department of Trade, Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services.
- Les Wielinga - Director General, Transport for NSW. He was formerly the chief executive of the powerful NSW Roads & Traffic Authority before it was absorbed into Transport for NSW.
Mr Broad's latest motorway promotion was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald of 17 May 2012, to which a Herald correspondent quipped on 18 May - “What would we expect the chief executive of the organisation established to promote the building of infrastructure in NSW to say other than that we need more of it”.
Where is the advocate for public transport?
INSW has yet to provide its first advice to the government, but APT thinks it knows what's coming.
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