Property Council welcomes elevation of cities in reshuffle
The Property Council of Australia today welcomed the elevation of the cities portfolio directly to the Prime Minister in yesterday’s ministerial reshuffle.
The well-regarded Angus Taylor has been promoted to Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation, with the Prime Minister announcing that cities policy will now be led by his department.
“This is recognition that the working and liveability of our cities is a major issue for the Australian economy”, said Ken Morrison, Chief Executive of the Property Council.
“Three quarters of our national income is generated in our cities – but all too often, local, state and federal governments have been working against each other.
“These ministerial changes have elevated the status of these issues with the ministry and throughout the bureaucracy.
“This is an opportunity to secure the prosperity and liveability of our cities.
“This is an area that has been neglected for many years and Australia is paying for it now. Cities policy has a major impact on national productivity. By the government’s own estimates, the cost of congestion alone to our national economy is heading to $ billion a year.
Ken Morrison welcomed the appointment of Mr Taylor saying he was a leader with proven experience.
“Angus Taylor is well regarded throughout the business community. He is a Rhodes Scholar, a former partner at McKinsey and as a director at Port Jackson Partners he specialised in Infrastructure. He is a problem solver – and that is what we need.
“The two next steps that will be vital are the release of the Infrastructure Australia Fifteen Year Plan for Infrastructure and the release of the Green Paper into Cities. The 15-Year Plan is imminent and the Green Paper should set down the firm policy markers that are needed to encourage growth and jobs.