Source: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2015C00183
Timestamp: 2018-01-23 01:42:17
Document Index: 400857069

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 2', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 3']

Details: C2015C00183
- C2015C00183
Act No. 17 of 2008 as amended, taking into account amendments up to Public Governance and Resources Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2015
An Act to establish Infrastructure Australia and the Infrastructure Coordinator, and for related purposes
sch 5 (items 41-48)
C2015C00183
Part 2—Infrastructure Australia
Part 2A—Board of Infrastructure Australia
Part 3A—Planning and reporting
Part 3B—Finance
No. 17, 2008
Registered: 16 April 2015
This is a compilation of the Infrastructure Australia Act 2008 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 14 April 2015 (the compilation date).
This compilation was prepared on 16 April 2015.
Part 2—Infrastructure Australia 3
5............ Functions—general............................................................................. 3
5A......... Functions—evaluating infrastructure proposals.................................. 4
5B......... Functions—developing Infrastructure Plans....................................... 5
5C......... Functions—providing advice on infrastructure matters....................... 6
6............ Minister may give directions to Infrastructure Australia..................... 7
6A......... Powers................................................................................................ 7
6B......... Consultation........................................................................................ 8
6C......... Infrastructure Australia does not have privileges and immunities of the Crown 8
Part 2A—Board of Infrastructure Australia 9
Division 1—Establishment and functions of the Board 9
6D......... Establishment...................................................................................... 9
6E.......... Functions............................................................................................ 9
Division 2—Constitution and membership of the Board 10
7............ Constitution of the Board.................................................................. 10
8............ Appointment of members.................................................................. 10
9............ Term of appointment......................................................................... 11
10.......... Acting appointments......................................................................... 11
11.......... Remuneration.................................................................................... 11
12.......... Leave of absence............................................................................... 12
16.......... Other terms and conditions............................................................... 12
17.......... Resignation of members.................................................................... 12
18.......... Termination of appointment.............................................................. 13
Division 3—Meetings of the Board 15
19.......... Convening meetings.......................................................................... 15
20.......... Presiding at meetings........................................................................ 15
21.......... Quorum............................................................................................. 15
22.......... Voting at meetings............................................................................ 16
23.......... Conduct of meetings......................................................................... 16
24.......... Minutes............................................................................................. 16
25.......... Decisions without meetings.............................................................. 16
Part 3—Chief Executive Officer, staff and consultants 18
Division 1—Chief Executive Officer of Infrastructure Australia 18
27.......... Establishment.................................................................................... 18
28.......... Role................................................................................................... 18
28A....... CEO to act in accordance with policies and directions of Board....... 18
29.......... Appointment..................................................................................... 19
30.......... Term of appointment......................................................................... 19
31.......... Acting CEO...................................................................................... 19
32.......... Remuneration.................................................................................... 19
33.......... Leave of absence............................................................................... 20
34.......... Disclosure of interests....................................................................... 20
35.......... Outside employment......................................................................... 20
36.......... Other terms and conditions............................................................... 20
37.......... Resignation....................................................................................... 20
38.......... Termination of appointment.............................................................. 21
Division 2—Staff and consultants 22
39.......... Staff of Infrastructure Australia........................................................ 22
39A....... Staff seconded to Infrastructure Australia......................................... 22
39AA.... Consultants....................................................................................... 23
Part 3A—Planning and reporting 24
39B....... Corporate plan................................................................................... 24
39C....... Annual report.................................................................................... 24
Part 3B—Finance 25
39D....... Money payable to Infrastructure Australia........................................ 25
39DA.... Application of money by Infrastructure Australia............................. 25
39DB.... Restrictions on financial transactions................................................ 25
39DC.... Taxation............................................................................................ 26
Part 4—Miscellaneous 27
40.......... Delegation by the Minister................................................................ 27
40A....... Delegation by Infrastructure Australia.............................................. 27
40B....... Delegation by Board......................................................................... 27
40C....... Delegation and subdelegation by CEO.............................................. 28
41.......... Regulations....................................................................................... 28
An Act to establish Infrastructure Australia, and for related purposes
This Act may be cited as the Infrastructure Australia Act 2008.
Board means the Board of Infrastructure Australia established by section 6D.
CEO means the Chief Executive Officer of Infrastructure Australia appointed under section 29.
full‑time Chair means a Chair appointed on a full‑time basis.
Infrastructure Australia means the body established by section 4.
member means a member of the Board and includes the Chair.
nationally significant infrastructure includes:
(a) transport infrastructure; and
(b) energy infrastructure; and
(c) communications infrastructure; and
(d) water infrastructure;
in which investment or further investment will materially improve national productivity.
part‑time Chair means a Chair appointed on a part‑time basis.
quarter means a period of 3 months beginning on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July or 1 October of a year.
(1) Infrastructure Australia is established by this section.
(2) Infrastructure Australia:
Note: The Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 applies to Infrastructure Australia. That Act deals with matters relating to corporate Commonwealth entities, including reporting and the use and management of public resources.
(3) Infrastructure Australia’s seal is to be kept in such custody as the Board directs and must not be used except as authorised by the Board.
(a) take judicial notice of the imprint of the seal of Infrastructure Australia appearing on a document; and
5 Functions—general
Infrastructure Australia has the following functions:
(a) to conduct audits to determine the adequacy, capacity and condition of nationally significant infrastructure, taking into account:
(i) forecast growth; and
(ii) economic, social and environmental sustainability;
(b) to develop lists (to be known as Infrastructure Priority Lists), based on audits conducted under paragraph (a) and any additional research by Infrastructure Australia, that prioritise Australia’s infrastructure needs;
(c) to evaluate infrastructure proposals in accordance with section 5A;
(d) to develop plans (to be known as Infrastructure Plans) in accordance with section 5B;
(e) to provide advice on infrastructure matters in accordance with section 5C;
(f) to identify any impediments to investment in nationally significant infrastructure and identify strategies to remove any impediments identified;
(g) to promote investment in infrastructure;
(ga) to review and provide advice on proposals to facilitate the harmonisation of policies, and laws, relating to development of, and investment in, infrastructure;
(gb) to review Commonwealth infrastructure funding programs and their alignment with Infrastructure Plans given to the Minister under section 5B;
(h) to undertake or commission research relating to Infrastructure Australia’s other functions;
(i) any other functions conferred on Infrastructure Australia by or under this Act or any other law.
5A Functions—evaluating infrastructure proposals
(1) For the purposes of paragraph 5(c), Infrastructure Australia has the function of evaluating proposals for investment in, or enhancements to:
(a) nationally significant infrastructure; and
(b) other infrastructure determined by the Minister.
(3) A determination made by the Minister under paragraph (1)(b) is a legislative instrument.
(4) As soon as practicable after the end of each quarter, Infrastructure Australia must make a summary of each proposal evaluated during the quarter available on its website.
5B Functions—developing Infrastructure Plans
(1) For the purposes of paragraph 5(d), Infrastructure Australia has the function of developing plans, to be given to the Minister, that:
(a) specify priorities for nationally significant infrastructure for Commonwealth, State, Territory and local governments for the period covered by the plan (see subsection (2)); and
(b) specify the following for proposals relating to those priorities during that period:
(i) productivity gains that may be anticipated from each proposal;
(ii) any complementary infrastructure required to maximise productivity gains from the proposals;
(iii) timeframes for delivering the proposals; and
(ba) includes a cost benefit analysis of each such proposal; and
(c) take into account:
(i) the audits, lists and evaluations mentioned in paragraphs 5(a), (b) and (c); and
(ii) consultations with Commonwealth, State, Territory and local governments; and
(iii) any other matters Infrastructure Australia considers relevant.
(2) A plan must cover a period of 15 years from the time the plan is prepared, or such other period as the Board determines.
(3) A cost benefit analysis included in a plan as mentioned in paragraph (1)(ba) must be prepared using the method approved by Infrastructure Australia. The method must enable the proposals to be compared.
(4) A plan must be prepared under this section every 5 years, or at such other intervals as the Board determines.
(5) Within 14 days of a plan being given to the Minister, the plan must be made available on Infrastructure Australia’s website.
(6) Infrastructure Australia must cause the method approved under subsection (3) to be reviewed:
(a) no later than 6 months after the commencement of this section; and
(b) every 24 months after that first review.
(7) Without limiting subsection (6), a review under that subsection must consider whether the cost benefit analyses take into account social, environmental and economic costs and benefits adequately.
(8) The report of the review must be made available on Infrastructure Australia’s website within 14 days of the report being given to Infrastructure Australia.
5C Functions—providing advice on infrastructure matters
(1) For the purposes of paragraph 5(e), Infrastructure Australia has the function of providing advice to the Minister, Commonwealth, State, Territory and local governments, investors in infrastructure and owners of infrastructure on matters relating to infrastructure, including in relation to the following:
(a) Australia’s current and future needs and priorities relating to nationally significant infrastructure;
(ba) policy issues arising from climate change;
(f) mechanisms for financing investment in infrastructure;
(g) the delivery of infrastructure projects.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(g), Infrastructure Australia may evaluate the delivery of an infrastructure project, including evaluating:
(a) the delivery against any targets set before or during delivery; and
(b) any relevant assumptions made before or during delivery.
(3) Infrastructure Australia also has the function of promoting public awareness of the matters mentioned in subsections (1) and (2), including by publishing information on its website.
6 Minister may give directions to Infrastructure Australia
(1) The Minister may give written directions to Infrastructure Australia about the performance of its functions.
(2) The Minister may have regard to any decisions by COAG in giving directions under subsection (1).
(3) Directions given by the Minister under subsection (1) must be of a general nature only.
(4) However, the Minister must not give directions about the content of any audit, list, evaluation, plan or advice to be provided by Infrastructure Australia.
(5) Infrastructure Australia must comply with any direction given by the Minister under subsection (1).
(6) A direction given by the Minister under subsection (1) is not a legislative instrument.
6A Powers
(1) Infrastructure Australia has power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of its functions.
(2) Infrastructure Australia’s powers include, but are not limited to, the following powers:
(a) the power to enter into contracts and agreements;
(b) the power to occupy, use and control any land or building owned or held under lease by the Commonwealth and made available for the purposes of Infrastructure Australia;
(c) the power to acquire, hold and dispose of real or personal property;
(d) the power to negotiate and cooperate with other Commonwealth bodies and with State, Territory and local government bodies;
(e) the power to do anything incidental to any of its powers.
6B Consultation
Infrastructure Australia must, in performing its functions and exercising its powers, consult with such of the following as it considers appropriate:
(a) government, commercial, industrial, consumer, academic, professional and other relevant bodies and organisations;
(b) investors in infrastructure and owners of infrastructure.
6C Infrastructure Australia does not have privileges and immunities of the Crown
Infrastructure Australia does not have the privileges and immunities of the Crown in right of the Commonwealth.
Division 1—Establishment and functions of the Board
6D Establishment
There is to be a Board of Infrastructure Australia.
6E Functions
(a) to decide the objectives, strategies and policies to be followed by Infrastructure Australia; and
(b) to ensure the proper, efficient and effective performance of the Infrastructure Australia’s functions; and
(c) any other functions conferred on the Board by this Act.
(2) The Board has the power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of its functions.
(3) Anything done in the name of, or on behalf of, Infrastructure Australia by the Board, or with the authority of the Board, is taken to have been done by Infrastructure Australia.
(4) If a function or power of Infrastructure Australia is dependent on the opinion, belief or state of mind of Infrastructure Australia in relation to a matter, the function or power may be exercised upon the opinion, belief or state of mind of a person or body acting as mentioned in subsection (3) in relation to that matter.
Division 2—Constitution and membership of the Board
7 Constitution of the Board
Infrastructure Australia consists of:
8 Appointment of members
(1) Members (including the Chair) are to be appointed by the Minister by written instrument.
(2) In making appointments, the Minister must ensure that:
(a) he or she is satisfied that each member has knowledge of, or experience in, a field relevant to Infrastructure Australia’s functions; and
(b) 9 members (of whom one is the Chair) are people nominated by the Commonwealth; and
(c) 5 of the members (of whom one is the Chair) covered by paragraph (b) have acquired the knowledge or experience referred to in paragraph (a) in the private sector; and
(d) one of the members covered by paragraph (b) has acquired the knowledge or experience referred to in paragraph (a) in local government; and
(e) 3 members are people nominated by agreement between the States, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.
(3) The Chair may be appointed on a full‑time or part‑time basis.
(4) A member, other than the Chair, must be appointed on a part‑time basis.
9 Term of appointment
A member holds office for the period specified in the instrument of appointment. The period must not exceed 3 years.
Note: A member is eligible for reappointment: see section 33AA of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.
10 Acting appointments
(1) The Minister may appoint a member to act as the Chair:
(2) The Minister may appoint a person to act as a member:
(b) during any period, or during all periods, when a member is absent from duty or from Australia, or is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.
Full‑time Chair
(1) A full‑time Chair has the recreation leave entitlements that are determined by the Remuneration Tribunal.
(2) The Minister may grant a full‑time Chair leave of absence, other than recreation leave, on the terms and conditions as to remuneration or otherwise that the Minister determines.
Part‑time Chair
(3) The Minister may grant leave of absence to a part‑time Chair on the terms and conditions that the Minister determines.
(4) The Chair may grant leave of absence to any other member on the terms and conditions that the Chair determines.
(5) The Chair must notify the Minister if the Chair grants to a member leave of absence for a period that exceeds 6 months.
A full‑time Chair must not engage in paid employment outside the duties of his or her office without the Minister’s approval.
17 Resignation of members
(1) The Minister may terminate the appointment of a member:
(2) The Minister may terminate the appointment of a member if the member:
(b) takes steps to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors; or
(c) compounds with one or more of his or her creditors; or
(d) makes an assignment of his or her remuneration for the benefit of one or more of his or her creditors.
Additional grounds for full‑time Chair
(3) The Minister may terminate the appointment of a full‑time Chair if:
(a) the Chair is absent, except on leave of absence, for 14 consecutive days or for 28 days in any 12 months; or
(b) the Chair engages, except with the Minister’s approval, in paid employment outside the duties of his or her office (see section 15).
Additional ground for part‑time Chair and other members
(4) The Minister may terminate the appointment of a member (other than a full‑time Chair) if the member is absent, except on leave of absence, from 3 consecutive meetings of Infrastructure Australia.
19 Convening meetings
(1) The Board must hold the meetings that are necessary for the efficient performance of its functions.
(b) must convene at least 4 meetings each calendar year; and
(i) 3 or more other members; or
(2) If the Chair is not present at a meeting, the other members present must appoint a member to preside.
(1) At a meeting of the Board, 8 members constitute a quorum.
(a) a member is required by rules made for the purposes of section 29 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 not to be present during the deliberations, or to take part in any decision, of the Board with respect to a particular matter; and
22 Voting at meetings
23 Conduct of meetings
25 Decisions without meetings
Division 1—Chief Executive Officer of Infrastructure Australia
27 Establishment
There is to be a Chief Executive Officer of Infrastructure Australia.
28 Role
(1) The CEO is responsible for the day‑to‑day administration of Infrastructure Australia.
(2) The CEO has any functions conferred on the CEO by or under this Act or any other law.
(3) The CEO has power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of his or her duties.
28A CEO to act in accordance with policies and directions of Board
(1) The CEO is to act in accordance with policies determined by the Board.
(2) The Board may give written directions to the CEO about the performance of the CEO’s responsibilities.
(3) The CEO must comply with a direction under subsection (2).
(4) Subsection (3) does not apply to the extent that the direction relates to the CEO’s performance of functions or exercise of powers under the Public Service Act 1999.
(5) A direction under subsection (2) is not a legislative instrument.
29 Appointment
(1) The CEO is to be appointed by the Board by written instrument.
(2) The CEO is to be appointed on a full‑time basis.
30 Term of appointment
Note: The CEO is eligible for reappointment: see section 33AA of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.
31 Acting CEO
The Board may appoint a person to act as the CEO:
(b) during any period, or during all periods, when the CEO is absent from duty or from Australia, or is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.
32 Remuneration
33 Leave of absence
34 Disclosure of interests
(1) A disclosure by the CEO under section 29 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (which deals with the duty to disclose interests) must be made to the Board.
The CEO must not engage in paid employment outside the duties of his or her office without the Chair’s approval.
37 Resignation
38 Termination of appointment
The Board may terminate the appointment of the CEO at any time, by instrument in writing.
39 Staff of Infrastructure Australia
(1) Infrastructure Australia may do either or both of the following:
(a) engage persons under the Public Service Act 1999;
(b) employ under written agreements such persons as Infrastructure Australia thinks necessary for the performance or exercise of any of its functions or powers.
(a) the CEO and the APS employees referred to in paragraph (1)(a) together constitute a Statutory Agency; and
(3) The terms and conditions of employment of persons employed under paragraph (1)(b) are such as the CEO determines from time to time.
39A Staff seconded to Infrastructure Australia
(1) Infrastructure Australia may be assisted by:
(a) persons engaged under the Public Service Act 1999, and officers and employees of authorities of the Commonwealth, whose services are made available to Infrastructure Australia in connection with the performance of its functions or the exercise of its powers; and
(2) Infrastructure Australia may make with the appropriate authority or officer of a State or Territory an arrangement under which the State or Territory may make officers or employees available to Infrastructure Australia to perform services in connection with the performance of its functions or the exercise of its powers.
39AA Consultants
Infrastructure Australia may engage consultants to assist in the performance of its functions.
39B Corporate plan
In preparing or varying a corporate plan under section 35 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, the Board must consult with:
(b) such of the following as it considers appropriate:
(i) government, commercial, industrial, consumer and other relevant bodies and organisations;
(ii) investors in infrastructure and owners of infrastructure.
39C Annual report
The annual report prepared by the Board and given to the Minister under section 46 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 for a period must also include details of any directions given to Infrastructure Australia by the Minister under subsection 6(1) of this Act during the period.
39D Money payable to Infrastructure Australia
(1) There is payable to Infrastructure Australia such money as is appropriated by the Parliament for the purposes of Infrastructure Australia.
(2) The Finance Minister may give directions about the amounts in which, and the times at which, money payable under subsection (1) is to be paid to Infrastructure Australia.
39DA Application of money by Infrastructure Australia
(1) The money of Infrastructure Australia is to be applied only:
(a) in payment or discharge of the costs, expenses and other obligations incurred or undertaken by Infrastructure Australia in the performance of its functions and the exercise of its powers; and
(2) Subsection (1) does not prevent investment, under section 59 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, of money that is not immediately required for the purposes of Infrastructure Australia.
39DB Restrictions on financial transactions
(1) Infrastructure Australia must not, without the written approval of the Minister:
(c) enter into a lease of land for a period exceeding 10 years.
(5) An approval under subsection (1) is not a legislative instrument.
39DC Taxation
Infrastructure Australia is not subject to taxation under any law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory.
Note: Despite this section, Infrastructure Australia may be subject to taxation under certain laws (see, for example, section 177‑5 of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 and section 66 of the Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986).
40 Delegation by the Minister
(1) The Minister may, by writing, delegate any or all of his or her functions and powers under this Act (other than a function or power under section 6, 8 or 18) to:
(2) In exercising functions or powers delegated under subsection (1), the delegate must comply with any directions of the Minister.
40A Delegation by Infrastructure Australia
(1) Infrastructure Australia may, in writing under its seal, delegate any or all of its powers or functions under this Act to:
(b) the CEO.
(2) In exercising any powers or performing any functions under the delegation, the delegate must comply with any directions of Infrastructure Australia.
40B Delegation by Board
(1) The Board may, in writing, delegate any or all of its powers or functions under this Act to:
(2) In exercising any powers or performing any functions under the delegation, the delegate must comply with any directions of the Board.
40C Delegation and subdelegation by CEO
(1) The CEO may, in writing, delegate any of the CEO’s powers or functions under this Act to a person mentioned in section 39 or 39A who:
(a) is an SES employee, or acting SES employee; or
(b) holds, or is acting in, an Executive Level 2 position; or
(c) occupies an office or holds a position equivalent to that of an SES employee or an Executive Level 2 position.
(2) If the Infrastructure Australia or the Board delegates a power or function under subsection 40A(1) or 40B(1) to the CEO, the CEO may, in writing, subdelegate the power or function to a person mentioned in paragraph (1)(a), (b) or (c) of this section.
(3) In exercising any powers or performing any functions under the delegation or subdelegation, the delegate or subdelegate must comply with any directions of the CEO.
(4) Sections 34AA, 34AB and 34A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 apply in relation to a subdelegation in a corresponding way to the way in which they apply in relation to a delegation.
9 Apr 2008 (s 2)
Sch 2 (items 711–718) and Sch 3 (items 10, 11): 27 Dec 2011 (s 2(1) items 5, 12)
Sch 2 (items 43–46): 11 July 2013 (s 2(1) item 12 and F2013L01359)
Sch 2 (item 46)
Infrastructure Australia Amendment Act 2014
77, 2014
Sch 1 (items 1‑42): 1 Sept 2014 (s 2(1) item 2 and F2014L01120)
Sch 5 (items 41‑48, 74–77) and Sch 7 (items 1, 2): 14 Apr 2015 (s 2)
Sch 5 (items 74‑77) and Sch 7 (items 1, 2)
am No 77, 2014
am No 77, 2014; No 36, 2015
rep No 77, 2014
rs No 77, 2014
ad No 77, 2014
s 5B......................................
s 5C......................................
6A........................................
6B........................................
6C........................................
6D........................................
6E........................................
Part 3 heading.......................
am No 124, 2013
am No 46, 2011; No 77, 2014
rs No 77, 2014; No 36, 2015
Division 3.......................... re
s 39AA.................................
s 39B....................................
s 39C....................................
s 39D...................................
s 39DA.................................
s 39DB.................................
s 39DC.................................
am No 124, 2013; No 77, 2014
s 40B....................................
s 40C....................................