The Australian Constructors Association welcomes the findings of the recent review of Infrastructure Australia.

Australian Constructors Association CEO Jon Davies said national leadership is needed more than ever and, with a sharpened focus, Infrastructure Australia is well positioned to lead positive change.

“In particular, we welcome the greater focus on sharing of lessons learned and best practice,” said Mr Davies.

“Greater sharing of learnings would represent a step change in how the industry currently operates and would significantly help the industry to improve.”

Already there is a provision for state and territory delivery agencies to submit post completion reports to Infrastructure Australia under the National Partnership Agreement. However, like many of Infrastructure Australia’s recommendations, agencies have not been following the advice.

“The Future Australian Infrastructure Rating (FAIR) proposed by Australian Constructors Association would provide a mechanism for Infrastructure Australia to ensure agencies fulfilled this requirement,” said Mr Davies.

“Under the FAIR initiative, an online database of learnings and innovations from projects would be established where industry and clients alike can identify ways to improve on upcoming projects.

“The sharing of lessons learned is just one benefit of the FAIR initiative—the opportunity to implement reforms that will improve industry productivity, diversity, technology adoption and more are limitless.

“Improvements in productivity alone could save the economy $47 billion annually.

“Infrastructure Australia is well paced to undertake immediate actions needed for establishing and governing the FAIR initiative which would ultimately help the body regain its title as the government’s true infrastructure advisor.”