Former chairman to go to APEC organisation as successor can bank on deep experience
The Federal Government has shuffled its infrastructure heads, with Infrastructure Australia (IA) Chairman Sir Rod Eddington going to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and Port of Melbourne Chairman Mark Birrell taking his place.
Eddington goes to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum-affiliated organisation at Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s request at the end of his IA tenure today after six years at the helm.
Birrell has had a long association with infrastructure issues, particularly in Victoria where his ministerial responsibilities included major projects, but also more broadly as founding Chairman of Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, from which he retired last year.
A board member, he is also President of the Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He is the former national leader of the infrastructure group at Minter Ellison Lawyers and has extensive experience as a company director.
“Mr Birrell has the expertise, energy and experience to lead Infrastructure Australia at a crucial time and was recommended by Sir Rod as a suitable replacement,” an announcement states.
“Under the Coalition Government, Infrastructure Australia will be given a broader range of responsibilities and will be charged with developing a rolling 15-year infrastructure plan for Australia.”