McCormack departs as federal infrastructure and transport minister
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) welcomes the appointment of Barnaby Joyce as federal infrastructure and transport minister and thanks outgoing minister Michael McCormack.
NHVR chair Duncan Gay says he looks forward to working with Joyce to continue to grow safety, productivity and efficiency across the heavy vehicle industry.
“On behalf of NHVR staff, chief executive and the board, I congratulate Barnaby and welcome him to the role,” Gay says.
“Barnaby has always been a supporter of delivering improved transport and infrastructure outcomes.
“I look forward to working with him to continue to deliver national consistency and reform for the heavy vehicle industry and improved road safety for all road users.”
Gay also thanks McCormack for his support.
“Michael was a strong advocate for regional communities and I thank him for his ongoing support of the NHVR,” Gay says.
“I have no doubt that he will continue to play a role in championing the importance of heavy vehicle safety well into the future.”
Read how industry groups reacted to Joyce’s first ministerial elevation, here
Also thanking McCormack is the Civil Contractors Federation National (CCF National).
“Michael McCormack made a significant contribution to the Infrastructure Transport and Regional Development portfolio as evidenced by the Federal Government’s infrastructure investment program and CCF National congratulates him on his achievements since he came to the position in early 2018,” CCF CEO Chris Melham says.
“Mr McCormack’s record of investing in civil infrastructure projects to generate jobs and boost business confidence is widely acknowledged across the industry and we thank him for his strong contribution to the sector.
“He leaves the infrastructure portfolio with a record level of infrastructure funding commitments from the federal government – $110 billion as compared to $75 billion in 2016 financial year for the federal government’s 10 year rolling infrastructure investment program.
“He demonstrated a deep commitment to improving infrastructure throughout rural and regional Australia and in so doing provided the foundations for economic growth in those regions.
“His stewardship of the Inland Rail project and the roll out of countless shovel ready projects throughout the country reflects his strong focus on investing in rural and regional Australia to grow the Australian economy.
“Mr McCormack’s commitment to engage with the Civil Contractors Federation and infrastructure sector more broadly has also been appreciated by industry, particularly as we grappled with the initial economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Civil Contractors Federation looks forward to continuing this strong working relationship with Mr Barnaby Joyce MP, deputy prime minister in his capacity as the newly appointed federal minister for infrastructure transport and regional development, who we congratulate on his appointment.”
Joyce’s previous tenure as transport minister over 14 months saw resistance to the idea of incentives to accelerate the reduction of the nation’s truck fleet average age and a lack of alternative policy.
He was also an avid Inland Rail and Murray Basin rail supporter.