The 2026 State of Infrastructure: Building Australia's Future
Description
The I2S 2026 State of Infrastructure Strategic Policy Dialogue will be held on 19 November, 17.30-19.00 on the main ANU campus, Crawford School of Public Policy.
Australia's historic infrastructure investment is vital to our nation's economic, environmental and social wellbeing. In an environment of heightened global risk, increasing economic challenges and urgent climate requirements, the ANU I2S welcomes you to an evening focused on the future. Together with our special guests, we'll be discussing and debating the policy measures, investment decisions and community engagement requirements needed to drive Australia's Big Build and deliver our renewable energy transition. We're asking:
-What brave infrastructure investment choices should Australia make now to better secure our economy and environment and empower communities?
-What should be the role of infrastructure development in supporting productivity growth? And what needs to change to ensure the sector can play that role? How doe social risk and social licence affect productivity growth?
-How can Australia respond to rapidly developing sectors of AI and data centres that are central to future industries while ensuring national security and sovereign capability, and how do we engage communities meaningfully?
-How can policymakers balance the needs of current Australians with those of generations to come? What are the most difficult infrastructure decisions we need to take?
This year marks the 5th Anniversary of ANU I2S and eight years of our State of Infrastructure and Engagement Study. Guests will be treated to a snappy summary of research highlights, followed by an expert industry panel discussion and audience Q&A, with a strong focus on the future.
Registrations are free but required. Reserve your place today!
Our Expert Panel
Facilitator: Professor Helen Sullivan, Dean ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
Helen is a public policy researcher, teacher, advisor, and senior university leader. She currently serves as Dean of the College of Asia and the Pacific at the Australian National University. Helen is a leading scholar on the theory and practice of state-society interactions in contemporary governance. She has advanced the fields of political science in three main ways: on collaboration in policymaking; on public participation and democracy; and via interpretivist methods. She is the author or editor of nine books and more than 100 peer reviewed academic articles, book chapters, and policy reports. Her most recent book Collaboration and Public Policy. Agency in the Pursuit of Public Purpose (2022) was shortlisted for the WJM Mackenzie Book Prize for the best book in political studies published in 2022/23. In 2024 Helen was elected to the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. Helen’s teaching focuses on leading in complex systems and challenging times. She has worked with professionals from all over the world in postgraduate and executive education programs and is actively engaged in shaping education for future leaders. In 2003 she was awarded a Fellowship of the (now) Higher Education Academy for her excellence in innovative, creative and interactive teaching. Helen’s career is distinguished by an enduring commitment to building bridges between research and practice to improve public policy making and professional practice and enhance public understanding of the value of political studies. She has designed and led multiple cross-sector collaborative institutions, worked closely with governments and public service organisations at all levels to embed evidence-based reform, sponsored national and global programs of Indigenous led research and education, and enabled new forms of public engagement with research. In 2017 she was made a National Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia in recognition of her outstanding contribution to public policy practice.
Jonathan Cartledge, Chief Executive Officer, Consult Australia
Jonathan brings over twenty years of experience including as an executive leader building organisational capability, championing culture and delivering effective partnerships for positive change. He draws on diverse experience across the not-for-profit and public sectors in Australia and the UK, encompassing strategy, public affairs, government relations, and program leadership. Jonathan has a deep understanding of how to drive change, influence and support collaboration for organisational success.
Jane Cassidy, GHD Principal, GHD Design Practice Leader
Jane Cassidy is the GHD Design Practice Leader, leading the largest architecture practice in Australasia (WA100) within GHD’s broader multidisciplinary practice. She is also a Director on the Board of GHD Design Pty Ltd and brings more than 25 years of experience across education, public infrastructure, healthcare and cultural institutions. Jane brings a strategic and creative approach to architecture, grounded in inclusive engagement and a clear understanding of how good design responds to people, place and purpose. Named among the top five leaders in Professional Services in the Australian Financial Review Women in Leadership Awards 2026, Jane brings a business of architecture perspective, including a deep understanding of the drivers of investment across the built environment. She leads large public projects with a focus on environmentally, culturally, economically and socially sustainable architecture.
Tony Mahar, Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner
Tony Mahar took on the role of Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner in December 2024. He cares deeply about fairness and positive outcomes for rural and regional communities, a passion shaped by his time in government and corporate roles in agriculture and farming. Tony knows the challenges of Australia’s energy infrastructure, and as Commissioner he focuses on engaging with stakeholders, managing issues, and working with industry to resolve them. Before this, Tony was CEO of the National Farmers’ Federation for nine years, representing Australian farmers and advocating for economic and environmental sustainability. He helped create the 2030 Roadmap for Australian Agriculture and expanded advocacy through partnerships and funding. Tony is also an ANU alumnus, holding a Master of Business (Industry Policy) from the Australian National University. He has deep knowledge of the economic, political, social and cultural issues affecting Australian industries.
Closing Remarks: Antony Sprigg, ANU I2S Research Advisory Board Chair
Antony Sprigg is Research Advisory Board Chair at ANU I2S and Director of Climate Finance Programs at NSW Treasury. He is a Non-Executive Director and senior public sector executive with over 25 years’ experience operating at the intersection of government, industry, not-for-profit organisations and applied research. Antony’s core expertise is in governing, leading and enabling organisations and teams to make high-quality decisions in complex, multi-stakeholder and uncertain environments. He brings deep experience across fiduciary oversight, financial stewardship, strategy and risk management, and increasingly the governance and application of data and AI-enabled decision systems.
Research Presentation
Professor Sara Bice, Co-Founder and Director, I2S
Professor Sara Bice is Co-Founder and Director of the Institute for Infrastructure in Society (I2S) and Head of the Policy and Governance Program at the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy. Her research connects industry, government and communities to address the impacts of major projects, mitigate environmental and social risks, and optimise potential benefits. An award-winning author and teacher, Sara is Past President of the International Association for Impact Assessment and Senior Visiting Professor, Tsinghua University School of Public Policy and Management, Beijing.
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