Appointments Strong Infrastructure Leadership

Seniority of Cabinet Appointments Provides Strong Infrastructure Leadership

The New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development has welcomed the priority given to infrastructure in the cabinet line-up.

"It is pleasing to see high level political commitment to infrastructure as a platform for economic growth. Not only will this help kick start the New Zealand economy, it will provide a much needed boost for jobs in the construction industry and help lock in productivity growth for the future", says NZCID chief executive Stephen Selwood.

"It is critical that a national investment programme is developed so that projects that have the greatest positive economic and environmental gains are prioritised for early investment. This will help achieve public buy in for essential projects as they will be seen in the context of an overall plan for New Zealand.

"We also need efficient regulation and consent processes to prioritise and approve projects in the national interest that provide the best social, environmental and economic return.

"And the infrastructure sector needs certainty around a committed and funded pipeline of work to ensure that the necessary human and capital resources can be committed in a timely basis.

"We strongly support the appointment of what is in effect an "infrastructure cabinet" chaired by Bill English as Minister for Infrastructure and comprising key ministers across the sector. The infrastructure cabinet will be able to provide an overarching, whole-of government view of national priorities and require accountability and best practice for delivery across the range of government ministries.

"We have a tremendous opportunity to kick start the New Zealand economy through well planned investment in infrastructure. The Cabinet appointments will enable the development of a committed and funded and investment programme supported by senior government leadership to enable the infrastructure industry to get on with the job, Selwood says.

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