National Governors Association Chair Concludes Study Trip to Australia in Support of Infrastructure Initiative
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan explored Australia’s innovative approaches for paying for roads, mass transit, ports and other infrastructure during a four-day study trip to the country, during which he also reinforced vital relationships with leaders of Australian business and governments.
Gov. Hogan visited Australia in support of his initiative as National Governors Association chair, Infrastructure: Foundation for Success, which seeks to build on state successes in furnishing and maintaining the physical assets that are crucial to economic competitiveness and quality of life in states and territories. Video from the study tour can be found here.
“As we reaffirm a century of Mateship, I was honored to lead a mission to Australia to strengthen relationships among leaders of states and territories of the two countries,” said Gov. Hogan. “Our countries have strong cultural and commercial ties, and cooperate in so many areas including cybersecurity, defense and aerospace, biotechnology, and education. This mission was all about extending our partnership in infrastructure, and looking at innovative ways to tackle an issue that affects our economic competitiveness and quality of life for all citizens.”
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall, who chairs the Council for the Australian Federation, expressed his delight at being able to facilitate this important exchange of ideas between the two organizations representing leaders of states and territories.
“We have deep economic, strategic and cultural connections which provide a rock-solid foundation for our dialogue,” Premier Marshall stated. “Our roundtable on infrastructure brought together a range of informed and experienced government and industry representatives who generously shared their successes and lessons learned in delivering infrastructure for our citizens.”
Gov. Hogan was joined by Dianne Primavera, the lieutenant governor of Colorado, and high-level officials from Washington and Louisiana on the trip. The U.S. delegation met with Michael McCormack, the deputy prime minister of Australia and minister for infrastructure, transport and regional development, and with Premier Marshall. Gov. Hogan also met with New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
Gov. Hogan and other U.S. leaders explored potential partnerships with the private sector to finance and build critical infrastructure, drawing from Australia’s experience leveraging such partnerships to complete port and airport projects.
In addition to discussing infrastructure, the American and Australian leaders spotlighted opportunities for economic partnerships among states and territories in both countries, which already share more than $1 trillion in bilateral investment.
Additional trips are planned to Canada and Japan. Gov. Hogan led an Infrastructure Stakeholder Summit in Boston, Massachusetts, in August, which examined solutions to traffic congestion.
As part of his initiative, Gov. Hogan also plans to explore ways to eliminate red tape and integrate smart technology to boost efficiency; protect America’s critical infrastructure; and leverage private-sector investments.
