Former Nationals leader and deputy prime minister Warren Truss has been named the next chair of the Australian Rail Track Corporation.
Federal transport and infrastructure minister Michael McCormack named Truss, his predecessor in several roles, as the next ARTC chair on Friday.
McCormack said Truss would bring experience and energy to the role.
“As a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Mr Truss was a driving force in the delivery of significant Australian Government infrastructure investments, including the early funding for Inland Rail,” McCormack said.
“Mr Truss brings a wealth of experience to ARTC with knowledge of the complexity in Australia’s growing freight and passenger task, leadership in the delivery major infrastructure projects and a strong understanding of regional Australia.”
McCormack thanked outgoing chair Dr Helen Nugent, and noted that under her leadership, the ARTC delivered significant improvements to the efficiency and competitiveness of Australia’s interstate rail network.
He also recognised Dr Nugent’s oversight of the ARTC driving the early stages of the Inland Rail project.
Finance minister Mathias Cormann said he was looking forward to again working with Truss, who will chair the ARTC for the next three years.
“ARTC manages the nation’s interstate network and is responsible for the delivery of the Inland Rail, to which the Australian Government has invested $9.3 billion, including $8.4 billion equity in the 2017–18 Budget,” Cormann said.
Cormann said with Truss as chair, the ARTC will have a renewed focus on stakeholder engagement and delivery as the Inland Rail project progresses towards construction this year.
“I am looking forward to seeing how Mr Truss can shape the ARTC’s ongoing delivery of key rail projects the Australian Government is delivering.”