National Infrastructure Summit 2005
The ADC convened the National Infrastructure Investment Leaders' Summit on 19 October at the Park Hyatt Hotel, Melbourne with the aim to draw a rational assessment of the opportunities, challenges and barriers faced by the investment community, business and government in Australia and globally.
The Summit recognised the potential for progress to be achieved through the Federal Government's proposal to incorporate the concept of public private partnerships (PPPs) in its planning for the 2006 Budget. It also recognised a heightened spirit of co-operation between the Commonwealth and States and Territories towards regulatory reform and infrastructure planning. These formed the basis of the Prime Minister's keynote address at the Summit luncheon and were positive signs, but their outcomes depend upon the Commonwealth exercising decisive leadership.
The Summit concluded that leadership and a collaborative approach to infrastructure planning and development are the minimum requirements needed to ensure Australia does not enter a gradual, slow decline, but remains a healthy, competitive, growing nation and is able to provide the world's best standards of living for all its citizens.