Podcasts about Infrastructure Australia

The Allan Labor government's plan to build the Suburban Rail Loop has taken a big hit, with federal body Infrastructure Australia saying the benefits of the SRL have been "overstated". See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Would you prefer gas, secrets or radioactivity with your cancer? The proposed Middle Arm Gas Hub in Darwin threatens residents with cancerous fumes and us all with global heating.  The ask is simple; redirect the 1.9 billion dollar subsidy and Stop Middle Arm. Nuclear power is at the heart of the Dutton opposition's energy policy. His leadership style was exposed when he  tried to slip out a back door in Collie, Western Australia after excluding  traditional owners from discussion, on whose land he wants to build  radioactive towers. Guests:Dr Barry Trail director of Solutions for Climate Australia and with Vote Climate  Laura Sykes from Lock the Gate and Middle Arm Roadshow - Environment Centre NT Music:- The Gruff Pack; a Perth band with Birack from their Summer Rainbow release-Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata)     · iNaturalist-Australian boobook - Wikipedia Earth Matters #1480 was produced on the beautiful lands of the Wulbunja in  Eurobodalla Shire, NSW by Bec HorridgeLinks:Opposition Leader Peter Dutton heckled by protesters opposed to building a nuclear power station in Collie - ABC NewsOpinions split in Collie over Peter Dutton's plan to build a nuclear reactor in mining town - ABC NewsAustralia nuclear energy: Liberals leader Peter Dutton has ‘frank' meeting in first Collie visit since nuclear plan announced'Your job is to be impartial': Peter Dutton unleashes on ABC reporter over questions about nuclear plans during heated press conference | Sky News Australia‘Don't care:' Dutton clashes with ABC journoFormer NT deputy chief minister Nicole Manison takes up role with fracking company Tamboran ResourcesDarwin's planned Middle Arm industrial hub could face lengthy delays after Infrastructure Australia rejects business case 

Alison Reeve, Energy and Climate Change Deputy Program Director at Grattan Institute, joined Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive to discuss how Australia's renewables rollout is costing too much to keep up with critical infrastructure and Olympics investment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"What is my role in mitigating the climate impact?" Are you interested in the donut economy of cities? What do you think about the city as the outside living room? How can we create proper density? Interview with Sara Stace, urban shaper, strategic thinker and innovator of cities. We talk about her vision for the future of cities, land use and transport planning, donut economics, professional responsibility, and many more. Sara Stace is a city shaper who thinks about the interplay between cities, land use and urban transport. She is WSP Australia's Regional Executive for Infrastructure Advisory providing advice on urban policy, economic business cases and decarbonisation. Over the past 25 years, Sara has worked for federal, state and local government, as well as the private sector. This includes six years as Director of National Urban Policy for Infrastructure Australia and leading walking and cycling strategy at Transport for NSW. She has written and co-authored 20 publications including for the United Nations and Australian Government. Find out more about Sara and her thinking through these links: Sara Stace on LinkedIn; @sara_stace as Sara Stace on X; Cities at WSP; Sara Stace at WSP; Sara Stace at Better Streets; Doughnut for Urban Development - a manual (2023), by Hill-Hansen, Jensen et al, Danish Architectural Press, Amsterdam City Doughnut | DEAL (doughnuteconomics.org) Infrastructure Victoria | Victoria's cities must be more compact and…. Publications – Melbourne's challenges in the face of outer suburb growth (sgsep.com.au) Our home choices (infrastructurevictoria.com.au) Carbon budgets and new infrastructure development (decarbon8.org.uk) Transport Sector Note on Applying the World Bank Group Paris Alignment Assessment Methods Postgrowth City Podcast; Connecting episodes you might be interested in: No.182 - Interview with Ted Baillieu about professionals to speak up; No.194 - Interview with Oliver Stoltz about giving streets back to pedestrians What wast the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠@WTF4Cities⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠wtf4cities.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ website where the ⁠⁠⁠⁠shownotes⁠⁠⁠⁠ are also available. I hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning in. Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Lesfm ⁠⁠⁠⁠from ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠

Latest news from 27 April 2024, as reported in the Ukrainian media. Easy ways to support us: Subscribe to our Patreon to give monthly support https://www.patreon.com/highlightsfromukraine Send us a one-time 'thank you' tip via PayPal at: highlightsfromukraine@gmail.com Out YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3oH111z Special thanks to our top Patreon supporters - Helena Pszczolko O'Callaghan, mattg629, krissi, Jared and Dick Warner!

Tony speaks to the chief executive at Infrastructure Australia as the industry expects a shortfall of a quarter of a million workers. He discusses The ambitions of state and federal government. What they're recommending to the government. The prioritising of infrastructure project. And more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This interview is part of a special collaboration between Byte Size and the Institute of Transport and Logistic Studies (ITLS) Board of Advice from the University of Sydney. David Tucker is Infrastructure Australia's Chief of Project Advisory & Evaluation. He is responsible for assessing business cases that are seeking more than $250 million in funding from the Australian Government, and for maintaining the Infrastructure Priority List, which provides a long-term pipeline of high-quality infrastructure proposals to guide government investment. What you'll learn: About Infrastructure Australia How has the Infrastructure Australia Assessment Framework evolved? How is Infrastructure Australia involved in the ITLS board and why is it important?

THE Andrews government has been accused of hypocrisy by ploughing ahead with its $30-34.5 billion Suburban Rail Loop before having a business case assessed by Infrastructure Australia. CANNABIS laced vapes are being delivered direct to schoolyards by lucrative drug dealers as the dangerous craze continues to sweep Victorian schools. RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has apologised for “overstepping the mark,” revealing his mother gave him a ‘stern' talking to following allegations he verbally abused an opposition player during a VFL match last weekend. A TIGER never changes its stripes, with today marking International Tiger Day. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at heraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tensions boil over in the chamber with discussion about former mayor Paul Pisasale taking centre stage during the June 30 ordinary meeting of Ipswich City Council. There was a spectacular backflip on renaming Paul Pisasale Bridge and Pisasale Drive. In a separate meeting council announced details of its 2022-2023 budget with an increase in rates. Mayor Teresa Harding joins the show to discuss the budget and what happened in the chamber with a split vote five to four in favour of reinstating the Pisasale name on a bridge and road. Also in this episode Spark Ipswich set to light up the city and Amberley Air Tattoo airshow releases ticketing details. Published: 1 July 2022. Music: www.purple-planet.com Image: Cover of Ipswich City Council 2022-2023 budget (supplied) Budget details: https://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/about_council/media/corporate_publications/budget-2022-2023 Spark Ipswich: https://www.ipswichfestivals.com.au/sparkipswich/spark-program/ Infrastructure Australia: https://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/infrastructure-priority-list Amberley Tattoo airshow: www.airforce.gov.au/IAAT2022 Council meeting agendas and minutes: bit.ly/2JlrVKY Council meetings on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/IpswichCityCouncilTV Shape your Ipswich: www.shapeyouripswich.com.au/ Ipswich Civic Centre: www.ipswichciviccentre.com.au/ Discover Ipswich: www.discoveripswich.com.au/ Ipswich Art Gallery: www.ipswichartgallery.qld.gov.au/ Studio 188: www.studio188.com.au/ Nicholas Street Precinct: www.nicholasst.com.au/

The new Labor government could cut or wind back billions of dollars worth of infrastructure projects promised by the Coalition, as it tries to bring the budget under control. Labor has inherited a forecast deficit of $80 billion this financial year, while gross debt is on track to reach $1.2 trillion within three years. In the frame are more than $20 billion in infrastructure projects promised by the Coalition during the election campaign, which haven't been vetted by Infrastructure Australia. Today on Please Explain, senior economics correspondent Shane Wright joins Bianca Hall to discuss what could be on the chopping block. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new Labor government could cut or wind back billions of dollars worth of infrastructure projects promised by the Coalition, as it tries to bring the budget under control. Labor has inherited a forecast deficit of $80 billion this financial year, while gross debt is on track to reach $1.2 trillion within three years. In the frame are more than $20 billion in infrastructure projects promised by the Coalition during the election campaign, which haven't been vetted by Infrastructure Australia. Today on Please Explain, senior economics correspondent Shane Wright joins Bianca Hall to discuss what could be on the chopping block. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Van Badham and Ben Davison breakdown the Morrison budget. This latest instalment of neo-liberal waste and vote buying STILL doesn't address the fundamental issues of insecure work and low wage growth that is dragging down the economy and people's household budgets. While the average worker has already gone backwards $1,300 over the last 18 months this budget locks in another $1,355 cut to the living standards of the average working Australian. Union member's have been campaigning on the need for more secure work and better pay, you can go to australianunions.org.au/wow to join them.  There's plenty of pork being slushed around with 123 of the 144 projects announced in the budget not stacking up to the standards set by Infrastructure Australia and $600M going into more gas projects. While the media focuses on the one off cash handouts and temporary petrol tax cut (that might be eaten up by oil price rises anyway) this waste and vote buying is being paid for with cuts to schools, universities, the arts, public sector workers, climate change prevention and $3 BILLION in cuts "decided but not announced". These sneaky cuts have been exposed at the same time that soon to be former Liberal Senator from NSW Concetta Fierravanti-Wells has opened the lid on Morrison's take over of the NSW Liberal Party saying "There is a putrid stench of corruption emanating from the New South Wales division of the Liberal Party", claiming Morrison is "a bully with no moral compass" and that party members "don't like Morrison and they don't trust him".  These claims follow on from Barnaby Joyce calling Morrison a "hypocrite and a liar", Gladys Berejiklian calling him a "horrible, horrible person" and another minister calling him "a fraud and a complete psycho". With the holes in his budget becoming apparent and his own leadership called into question it is clear why Morrison has canceled his appearance on ABC 7:30.... Van and Ben talk about how the COVID booster program is becoming another "strollout", with the time to reach 90% boosted getting pushed later and later into the year. This mismanagement is happening just as floods once again consume Lismore and northern NSW, making it harder to rollout boosters, and COVID cases rise, hospitalisations increase and more Australian's are tragically dying. But there is good news about wind turbines! Plus we give a shout out to all our Cadre and Extending the Reach supporters who have signed up to make a regular contribution towards helping us grow the audience through www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday 

Over the next couple of years, governments across Australia have committed a record $225b spend on infrastructure. The private sector is delivering more projects on top of that. But the infrastructure sector is plagued by challenges including insolvency risk, cost overruns and project delays. Peter Colacino, Chief of Policy and Research at Infrastructure Australia, talks to Sean Aylmer about the need for urgent reform.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Across financial markets, uncertainty surrounding the COVD-19 pandemic has led to a spike in volatility, dragging equities into bear market territory.Business owners are being told they should set their own rules on whether customers and staff have to be vaccinated, in a message from Prime Minister Scott Morrison that takes on state premiers amid uproar in federal Parliament over vaccine mandates.Barnaby Joyce wants to appoint the Mayor of Tamworth, Col Murray, a self-described “pretty solid Barnaby supporter”, as the next chair of Infrastructure Australia.Missing Sydney businesswoman Melissa Caddick's assets could soon be sold to repay more than $23 million she stole from her friends and clients.Woodside's proposed Scarborough development is equivalent of 15 coal-fired power plants, environment experts sayFollow my socials on: https://twitter.com/leongettlerhttps://www.instagram.com/leongettler/https://www.linkedin.com/in/leongettler/https://www.facebook.com/talkingbusinesspodcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Across financial markets, uncertainty surrounding the COVD-19 pandemic has led to a spike in volatility, dragging equities into bear market territory.Business owners are being told they should set their own rules on whether customers and staff have to be vaccinated, in a message from Prime Minister Scott Morrison that takes on state premiers amid uproar in federal Parliament over vaccine mandates.Barnaby Joyce wants to appoint the Mayor of Tamworth, Col Murray, a self-described “pretty solid Barnaby supporter”, as the next chair of Infrastructure Australia.Missing Sydney businesswoman Melissa Caddick's assets could soon be sold to repay more than $23 million she stole from her friends and clients.Woodside's proposed Scarborough development is equivalent of 15 coal-fired power plants, environment experts sayFollow my socials on:https://twitter.com/leongettlerhttps://www.instagram.com/leongettler/https://www.linkedin.com/in/leongettler/https://www.facebook.com/talkingbusinesspodcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Infrastructure is one of the hottest sectors right now, with investors big and small clamouring to get a piece of the pie. But what are Australia's infrastructure needs for the years ahead? Infrastructure Australia has just delivered a 15-year plan to the Government detailing just that. Peter Colacino (Chief of Policy and Research), led the team that developed the plan and joined Sean Aylmer to discuss.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Infrastructure Australia recently released its 15 year plan, calling for a new wave of infrastructure reform to drive COVID-19 recovery around the nation. How was the plan developed, and what does it mean for local governments across the country? In this episode of VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy and Kathryn Arndt speak with the CEO of Infrastructure Australia, Romilly Madew, to find out what's in the plan and how local government can partner in its implementation and influence future priority setting.

In the Newsroom this week, Kathryn Arndt highlight some of the latest stories of interest to the local government sector, including new low interest loans for Councils; growth funding and library project grants now open for applications; a new plan from Infrastructure Australia with a strong role for local councils; and upcoming events from the VLGA.

CEDA's 42nd State of the Nation has come to an end, and with three days of insightful conversations under our belt, we look back on the interviews our CEO Melinda Cilento and Chief Economist Jarrod Ball led with some of this year's speakers. Speakers: The Hon. Josh Frydenberg, Federal Treasurer The Hon. Anthony Albanese, Federal Leader of the Opposition Sam Mostyn AO, President, Chief Executive Women, Chairman, Citibank; and Chair, The Foundation for Young Australians Su McCluskey, Commissioner, National COVID-19 Commission Advisory Board (concluded May 2021) His Excellency Y Kristiarto S Legowo, Ambassador for Indonesia His Excellency Vohra, High Commissioner of India to Australia Romilly Madew AO FTSE, Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Australia

After the sustainable infrastructure session at CEDA's 2021 State of the Nation conference, CEDA Chief Economist Jarrod Ball spoke with Romilly Madew of Infrastructure Australia to gain insights on trends in infrastructure since COVID-19 has hit Australia.

We welcome David Tucker Chief of Infrastructure Assessment at Infrastructure Australia. David joined Infrastructure Australia in 2018 after over 16 years with some of Australia's top-tier consulting firms. In this episode we chat shop on how infrastructure factors within the property market and how have airports, roads, transport and essential goods been impacted in recent times from the change in working arrangement and the post-COVID normal.Here's what we covered: What is infrastructure Australia and why does it exist? What are the different classes of infrastructure? How to assess key projects? What has made certain projects more of a priority than others? How has climate change impacted infrastructure projects and schedules? Has COVID shifted much point of view on the upcoming projects? How do regions compete in getting more spending for infrastructure? What projects should we be most excited about? How does infrastructure impact property prices? What will it take to solve the transport problems in Australia? What gaps in our infrastructure do we currently have and how can this be solved? RELEVANT EPISODES:Episode 158 | Warren Hogan Episode 148 | Bernard Gallagher Episode 145 | Lucinda Harley GUEST LINKS:https://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/publications/Infrastructure_Priority_List_2021 Priority List interactive map: https://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/search-priority-list-map Infrastructure beyond COVID-19: https://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/publications/Infrastructure-beyond-COVID HOST LINKS:Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au Work with Veronica: https://linktr.ee/veronicamorgan Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.auWork with Chris: hello@wealthful.com.au Send in your questions to: questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Please note that this has been transcribed by half-human-half-robot, so brace yourself for typos and the odd bit of weirdness…This episode was recorded in March, 2021.https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/148

Hello and welcome to Overdrive, a program about cars and transport I’m David Brown News 1. Land Rover Women’s world car of the year (1:34) 2. Maserati on track with women - Maria Teresa de Filippis history of audacity (2:54) 3. Nissan is developing an engine for road cars that could reach 50% thermal efficiency (3:58) 4. Infrastructure Australia adds a record number of new investment opportunities to support COVID-19 recovery (4:56) Interview Nadine Armstrong who was one of two Australians on the judging panel of the WWCOTY. We have a chat about her thinking and approach to this award. (6:15) Car ads for cars aimed at women We reflect on how some car companies have advertised to women (3:15) Interviews Paul Murrell tells us about the new electric Porsche whose name is likely to be mispronounced (18:28) And in two final interviews we talk to Brian Smith on how we let vehicle access including garbage trucks dominate our urban street design (22:55) And finally we get some enthusiastic reminisces from Motorsport commentator Will Hagon about racing minis and the characters who drove them. You can find more information at Driven Media or previous programs are available as podcasts on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ah6JZN8LTYURIfNs1IIBs iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/overdrive-cars-transport-and-culture/id1001084679 Our Facebook page OverdriveCity https://www.facebook.com/OverdriveCityDrivenMedia/?modal=admin_todo_tour or Our YouTube site https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKyx5sv6cgF4URRmNq2JiXg/videos Originally broadcast 13 March 2021

This episode takes a deep dive into the state of Brisbane's transport infrastructure.  We discuss why getting around the city to work, schools, childcare and recreation areas has an impact on where you might buy a property as a home or an investment.We look at which modes of transport are relied upon most right now, versus which modes may be the most reliable transport options in the future.  Modelling studies by Infrastructure Australia are the basis upon which discussions take place in this episode.We highlight the predicted top 10 most congested transport corridors in our City by 2031, which will help people understand why consideration of the future is necessary when making a decision about property now.Learn more about your hosts Scott and Melinda Jennison at www.streamlineproperty.com.au.

The surge in home-delivered food and online shopping during COVID-19 has put extra strain on Victoria's already stretched waste disposal sector. Chief of Policy and Research from Infrastructure Australia, Peter Colacino, says the pandemic has led to the reversal a long-running decline in waste. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2010 Premier Colin Barnett told the Chamber of Commerce that Perth was headed for a "decade of light rail." Ten years on, the city transport planners have a full desk of tram routes announced, reformulated, abandoned, promised and now quietly delayed. Understorey's Adrian Glamorgan takes us through the early warnings of Senator Scott Ludlam in 2011, and the hopes in 2016 prior to the last state election by Labor's Shadow Transport Minister Rita Saffioti that light rail would be an equal Stage 1 priority. But with Labor's heavy focus on the heavy rail component of Metronet, by 2019 the department had only lodged a light rail "problem identification" with Infrastructure Australia, short of a business plan. But there may be hope for Metronet's missing links. Tom Griffiths from the Southwest Group (an alliance of six councils southwest of the river, from Melville to Rockingham) discusses the "proof of concept" case the councils have made for a Murdoch to Fremantle dedicated public transport corridor, possibly for light rail or the trackless tram. In Victoria Park, once home of Perth's tram depot, Greens candidate Tim Young calls for a range of transport responses, to ensure urban infill supported by an array of transport responses build a convivial city towards 2050. (Photo: collage from wikimedia commons: Canberra light rail By Bidgee; Jpatokal Sydney Light Rail both CC BY-SA 3.0; Gold Coast light rail David Ansen CC BY-SA 2.0)

In Episode 3 Mark Beretta and his guests reveal how Sydney Olympic Park was once a contaminated wasteland full of opportunity, that was developed into a world-class environmentally sustainable suburb with a ‘she’ll be right mate’ attitude. Romily Madew, CEO of Infrastructure Australia and former Green Building Council of Australia CEO joins Sydney Olympic Park Executive Director Planning Sally Hamilton to discuss the world class transformation, and how Australia’s attitude to innovation created precedents that would change environmental benchmarks nationally and internationally. Built on a beautiful blank canvass on the banks of the Parramatta River, the development of Sydney Olympic Park challenged designers and architects to protect the environment, establish green buildings and create parklands that would become significant environmental sites. Sydney Olympic Park became Australia’s first example of a green star precinct, creating the foundation of the nationally-accepted green star rating system.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Calls are being made for the government to increase stimulus spending. Are we in danger of our leaders falling for the broken window fallacy?

In this podcast Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss markets drama, Cockburn harbour recommendation, Infrastructure Australia, shopping centres write down, planning law changes, Altrad, AFG, and our special report on major projects.

In this podcast Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss markets drama, Cockburn harbour recommendation, Infrastructure Australia, shopping centres write down, planning law changes, Altrad, AFG, and our special report on major projects.

Economists and academics, the Productivity Commission, Infrastructure Australia, various think tanks and government tax reviews have all called for stamp duty to be replaced by a broad based land tax. Politicians have long put the proposal in the too hard basket. Trent Wiltshire, the chief economist at Domain, has reignited the debate with an opinion piece on the real estate website. He tells Mark there would be winners and losers and it would be difficult but it would provide a significant boost for the economy and home buyers.

Infrastructure Australia is calling on Infrastructure spending to increase significantly to meet the demands of our population growth.

Over the last 20 years sustainability has been a massive driver for developments in building services engineering, in Australia this has been, at least in part, driven by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and their Green Star tools. As we move towards a zero carbon future we will increasingly rely on how to assess building sustainability and how we can support those that will create this change. This month Talking Buildings sits down with Romilly Madew of the GBCA to discuss what drives her focus on sustainability, what the future holds as she moves into her new role at Infrastructure Australia and what advice she would give to the next generation of sustainability professionals.Madew has led the Green Building Council of Australia since 2006 and has been an integral figure in Australia’s sustainable building movement. She is recognised globally as a leader in the construction industry and is an experienced CEO in strategy, governance and policy development as demonstrated by her recently announced appointment as CEO of Infrastructure Australia. As perhaps the busiest person in the building sector she is a member of the federal government’s Cities Reference Group, former Deputy President and Member of the Executive Committee of the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, Independent Chair of the Currawong State Park Advisory Board, a member of the Sydney Olympic Park Authority; Chief Executive Women; and Surf Life Saving Foundation boards and President Bilgola Surf Life Saving Club.

Did you know you make economic decisions daily? Anna Chau, Acting Chief Executive at Infrastructure Australia appreciates that society has unlimited needs but with limited resources they need to evaluate projects effectively. That’s why economists have been involved with creating our national infrastructure to do list. Find out how Anna and the Infrastructure Australia team use social and place based analysis to ensure cities get the best return on their infrastructure investment decisions.

An episode dedicated entirely to Infrastructure Australia's recent relesease of its Future Cities - Planning for our growing population

A chartered engineer, Philip Davies has worked in the infrastructure sector for over a quarter of a century in the UK and in Australia. His mandate as Chief Executive of Infrastructure Australia is to provide independent expert advice to all levels of government on how to prioritise and evaluate the nation’s infrastructure needs.

This week Stephen and Ivan talk about making infrastructure sexy again, as well as the latest labour market data and the ongoing jobs/housing dilemma of the RBA. Discussed in this episode: [0:59] February jobs disaster [1:11] Stephen on the March jobs numbers [1:48] Jobs report sceptics [2:35] 2014 ABS error [3:42] April RBA minutes [5:42] ANZ's job ads data [5:54] NAB business survey [7:03] Polling is getting harder [9:08] Blueprint for Growth [11:30] Snowy Mountains Scheme [12:14] PM’s Snowy reboot [13:12] Keynesian stimulus [13:17] Governor Lowe on infrastructure [14:34] Grattan Institute on infrastructure [14:59] Cost-benefit analysis [15:02] NBN’s lack of cost-benefit analysis [15:13] NBN cost estimates [15:33] Infrastructure Australia [15:38] Infrastructure Australia priority list [16:22] AICD’s Director Sentiment Index [18:02] South Australian energy crisis [18:20] Elon Musk to the rescue [20:12] Stephen on infrastructure borrowing [21:27] 457 visas abolished [22:57] University concerns [23:09] Tech sector concerns [23:43] Benefits of skilled migration [24:02] Value to businesses [24:23] Worrying protectionism [24:46] Trump’s H-1B visa executive order [24:56] Budget countdown [25:07] Register for Stephen’s Budget webinar Tweet at us @aicdirectors or message us on Facebook with feedback on the show or suggestions for upcoming topics.

Labor's edge over the government in the polls has seen the party stay united. But it has not stopped speculation about whether frontbencher Anthony Albanese would be a better fit as leader of the party. Albanese dismisses Coalition jibes about him being the alternative leader. He tells Michelle Grattan it's the government who has internal issues. “The government are I think more divided than I've seen a political party for a very long time – and I've seen a bit of division,” says the deputy prime minister in the second Rudd government. As shadow minister for infrastructure and transport, Albanese says there are significant differences between Labor and the government in this portfolio. “We established Infrastructure Australia to recommend the right projects to the government that would provide the biggest economic boost. We've seen the government effectively walk away from that strategy and remove funding from projects that had been approved by Infrastructure Australia, particularly public transport projects. "Malcolm Turnbull likes riding on trains and taking selfies but he hasn't funded any new public transport projects,” he says. After coming under threat from the Greens in his own seat at the last election, Albanese sees weaknesses in his opponents to the left. “I think they're struggling with their identity, of whether they're a protest party and a movement, if you like – which is the view of many in the New South Wales Greens – or whether they're a parliamentary party. "For many in the Greens, the protest is the end in itself. It's a sophisticated view I guess. It says: that is how people are politicised, and how from their perspective of wanting revolutionary, if you like – rather than reformist change – you need that momentum from the bottom and from social movements. "I'm about making a difference to people's lives and making lives better. That's why I'm in politics and that stands in stark contrast to many in the Greens who advocate that sort of view,” he says. Despite his strong personal advocacy for marriage equality, Albanese maintains that members of the Labor caucus should be able to vote with their conscience on the matter – in contrast to the ALP conference policy of a bound vote from 2019. “I've supported the conscience vote for a considerable period of time on a range of issues where essentially people are in a position whereby they believe that they have to choose between their loyalty to their party and their loyalty to their faith.” Music credit: “Racketeer”, by Tab & Anitek on the Free Music Archive