With the festive season fast approaching, the Property Council team has been engaging closely with the Albanese Government on a raft of important announcements.
Infrastructure Minister Catherine King last week announced a slimmed-down version of Infrastructure Australia (IA) following a review into the advisory body.
IA will be given a clear purpose, a legislated mandate and asked to focus on auditing a smaller set of national infrastructure priorities. Its governance model is set to evolve, with its present board replaced by three commissioners backed by an advisory board. The objective is to enable IA to undertake more proactive inquiries into infrastructure needs.
The government has also announced it will host the promised Cities and Suburbs Unit within the Department rather than IA. The shape of the government’s cities agenda remains unclear.
Then on the same day, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek announced plans to overhaul environmental legislation with a new Environment Protection Agency, regional and National Environmental Standards, and state and territory administration of single-touch approvals on the Commonwealth’s behalf.
It is critical that future National Environmental Standards locks in certainty for the industry, as well as for governments, stakeholders and communities.
We are now awaiting the announcement of the new Housing Supply and Affordability Council, the government’s new statutory advisory body on housing supply and housing policy. Housing Minister Julie Collins has previously flagged this important body would be established on an interim basis from 1 January with legislation to follow in the new year.
Three crucial announcements on policy areas of central importance to our industry to see the year out.
