Estimates: Senator Rhiannon questions Infrastructure Australia
Senator Rhiannon questions Infrastructure Australia in Senate Estimates.
Prior to the break, Senator Lee Rhiannon asks Infrastructure Australia questions regarding the East-West Link. She states that the Victorian Government has given it a benefit-cost ratio of 0.8-1 and asks whether IA has ever recommended funding for a project that has this benefit-cost ratio or lower. The question is taken on notice. Lee asks whether the project is still in the ‘real potential’ category and IA confirms that yes it is. She asks that given the Abbott Government’s talk of the need for infrastructure projects to be backed by rigorous business cases and benefit-cost analysis, can IA confirm that it has seen the full business case for the E-W Link. John Fitzgerald of IA confirms they have not seen it. Lee asks when business case will be received and Fitzgerald states he does not know exactly but that it is “imminent”, then IA will work through the full business case with the Victorian Govt. She asks which areas of the BC are not complete and Mr Fitzgerald doesn’t have the details. Mr Murdoch from IA cites that Victoria is reviewing planning and procurement issues, to which Lee replies it sounds like the full business case is incomplete.