House of Representatives

Explanatory Memorandum

(Circulated by Authority of the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, the Hon Warren Truss MP)

Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights

Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011

Infrastructure Australia Amendment Bill 2013

This Bill is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

Overview of the Bill

The Bill will strengthen the role of Infrastructure Australia, as an independent, transparent and expert advisory body through a change in its governance structure and through better clarification of its functions.

Key elements of the Bill include:

a.

re-establishing Infrastructure Australia as a separate entity under legislation, governed by a Board with members appointed by the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development;

b.

improve reporting arrangements, with the Board reporting to the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development; and

c.

establishing a Chief Executive Officer position to manage Infrastructure Australia, reporting directly to the Board.

Human rights implications

This Bill does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.

Conclusion

This Bill is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues.

Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, the Hon Warren Truss MP