The infrastructure audit could widen

The Rudd Government’s infrastructure audit may be widened to include housing shortages, which would add to the current priorities of communications, energy, transport and water.

Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese is meeting with the states today to talk about the scope of the audit. He said the lack of housing in Western Australia was stopping workers moving west, despite its labour shortages.

Today’s working group meeting is one of a number that will report to the next Council of Australian Governments meeting on 28 March.

The new body Infrastructure Australia, which will have 12 months to review Australia’s infrastructure needs, will be created in the first sitting of Parliament in February.

The names of the 12 members of Infrastructure Australia are likely to be announced soon.