The primary purpose of the Critical Infrastructure Bill is to create a legal obligation for State bodies to recognise and accelerate key projects through all authorisation stages.
The Bill forms a central pillar of the Government’s broader infrastructure acceleration agenda, signalling a significant shift toward fast-tracking strategically important projects deemed essential to the State’s economic and social development.
The Bill will address systemic delays by mandating whole-of-State co-operation and creating a fast-track pathway for nationally significant projects and programmes. By establishing a clear legal basis for prioritisation, it will reduce ambiguity and ensure that critical projects and programmes receive coordinated attention across the system.
The Bill will allow Government to give a clear articulation of the projects and programmes that are in the country's long term interests. This clarity will encourage early engagement and problem-solving, shifting the focus from compliance to delivery.
The Bill does not change any of the legal responsibilities for the risk management of any assets that may be designated by Government nor does it affect scenario planning in any sectors where projects or programmes are designated.
