Chair’s Message

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Partnerships 2021.

Twelve months ago, we came together to discuss the Reset. It was a unique opportunity to rethink traditional infrastructure approaches in the midst of a crisis. As Australia moves ahead with its national reopening plan, this year’s Partnerships theme focuses on the Response.

Over the course of the Conference, Australia’s leading political, public service, and business figures will share their insights on the evolving geopolitical landscape, the opportunities presented by surging digital innovation, the ongoing implications of a pandemic, and the accelerating priority of decarbonisation.

We will open the Conference with an address from NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. The Premier will provide an overview of the NSW Government’s vaccination program, its reopening plans, and the critical role public infrastructure investment will play in underpinning recovery efforts.

We will also hear from our respected leaders panel, including Dr Kerry Schott AO, Mark Birrell AM, Jim Miller, and Mike Mrdak AO, on the current state of infrastructure reform in Australia and the progress still to be made. Public sector leaders from across the sector will share their reflections on the once-in a-generation rail investments shaping Australian cities and supply chains.

A panel of Australia’s largest infrastructure investors will explore the challenges and opportunities for ESG and sustainable investing, with reflections from Damian Graham, Chief Investment Officer at Aware Super, Michael Hanna, Head of Infrastructure – Australia at IFM Investors, and Matina Papathanasiou, Deputy Head of Global Infrastructure at QIC. Infrastructure Partnerships Australia Chief Executive Adrian Dwyer will sit down with the Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities, and the Arts Paul Fletcher MP to discuss state-federal relations, the development and rollout of 5G technology, and progress towards a nationally compatible road user charging system.

CEO of Macquarie Group Shemara Wikramanayake will close the Conference by sharing her insights on the Australian infrastructure investment landscape, the increasing appetite for digital infrastructure assets, and how we can leverage private finance and expertise to aid in the delivery of a renewed infrastructure pipeline.

I hope over the course of the program we provoke new discussion and insights on the biggest trends shaping the future of the infrastructure sector.

Thank you again for joining Partnerships 2021.

Yours sincerely

Sir Rod Eddington AO

Chair Infrastructure Partnerships Australia