Inside Infrastructure

Season 3 Episode 2: Leilani Frew - on embracing change, lessons from the golden era of infrastructure investment in NSW, and the real on-the-ground impact of Treasury decisions. Jun 02, 2025

In this latest episode of Inside Infrastructure, Adrian and Janice sit down with Leilani Frew, Deputy Secretary Financial and Commercial at New Zealand Treasury, to discuss embracing change early on, her time at NSW Treasury during the golden era of infrastructure investment, and her experiences as both an implementer and advisor of infrastructure policy.

Season 3 Episode 1: Bede Noonan – on productivity and procurement, the shifting national infrastructure pipeline, and one of the industry’s most unique professional career trajectories Mar 06, 2025

In our launch episode for season three, Adrian and Janice host Bede Noonan, Chief Executive Officer of ACCIONA, unpacking his journey from family to corporate business, how ACCIONA is navigating the shift from transport to energy, and productivity in construction.

Lorie Argus - on navigating the pandemic, the future Melbourne Airport and sustainable aviation Aug 28, 2023

In our latest episode, Adrian and Janice check in with Lorie Argus, Chief Executive Officer of Melbourne Airport, to unpack her career to date, the experience of navigating an airport during the pandemic, the development of the Melbourne Airport precinct and how ‘Lorie’s bugs’ are making aviation more sustainable.

Peter Shergold AC - on transforming Western Sydney, education as an asset class, COVID and migration Feb 27, 2023

In our first episode for 2023, Adrian and Janice sit down with Professor Peter Shergold AC to discuss transforming Western Sydney through using higher education as an asset class and the impacts of the Aerotropolis as well as Professor Shergold’s time in the public service and his views on recent government decisions on topics like COVID and migration.

Andrew Barr – on his approach to reform and the infrastructure opportunities ahead for the ACT Oct 04, 2022

Adrian and Janice sit down with ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr to discuss his approach to reform, the modern approaches and opportunities that exist to deliver the ACT Government’s infrastructure pipeline and whether it could elevate the Territory’s status on the world stage, and what’s on the horizon as the ACT Government implements its decarbonisation agenda.

BONUS EPISODE | Adrian & Janice - What's your favourite type of infrastructure? Mar 04, 2022

Regular listeners of the Inside Infrastructure Podcast will know the episode always ends by asking guests what their favourite piece of infrastructure is. In this bonus episode, Adrian and Janice turn the spotlight back on themselves and discuss what their favourite piece of infrastructure is.

Sally Capp – on debunking the death of the city and how Melbourne can rebound from COVID Feb 23, 2022

In the first episode of Inside Infrastructure for 2022, Adrian and Janice speak with Lord Mayor of Melbourne City Council Sally Capp about her journey to the top job, debunking the death of the city, rebounding from COVID, and how the Council is decarbonising Melbourne.

Peter Achterstraat - on reigniting productivity in NSW Dec 15, 2021

In the last episode of Inside Infrastructure for 2021, Adrian and Janice spoke with NSW Productivity Commissioner Peter Achterstraat about the origins of his family name, his love of tax, igniting a new productivity boom out of COVID, and how we reform the way pay and use infrastructure.

Jacinta Allan – on Victoria’s Big Build and the state’s most complex infrastructure project Dec 01, 2021

Adrian and Janice sit down with Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure and the Suburban Rail Loop, Jacinta Allan, to talk about her experience as Victoria’s longest serving female Minister, the major COVID challenges facing Victoria's Big Build program, and the story behind one of the nation's biggest and most complex rail projects, the Suburban Rail Loop.

Minister Paul Fletcher – on the power of markets and the state Federation Nov 04, 2021

Adrian and Janice sit down with Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Paul Fletcher MP to discuss why he believes in the power of markets and the role for government intervention. The Minister also shares his reflections on the policy rationale behind the sale of Telstra, the next big capital phase for the NBN, and the state the Federation.

Roch Cheroux – unpacks our urban water system and how we can have a more resilient water system Oct 05, 2021

Adrian and Janice interviewed Managing Director of Sydney Water Roch Cheroux to shed light on how our complex urban water system actually works, the state of urban water reform in Australia, and what we need to do to combat increased climate variability and drought.

Deanne Stewart – on the infrastructure M&A boom and ESG investment in Australia Aug 31, 2021

Adrian and Janice sit down with Aware Super CEO Deanne Stewart to talk about her journey from Bathurst kid to Fulbright Scholar, how Australia's infrastructure market competes internationally, the boom in infrastructure M&A, and the challenges and opportunities for ESG investment in Australia.

Rebecca Wark - on leadership and the future of health Jul 07, 2021

Adrian and Janice sit down with NSW Health Infrastructure CEO Rebecca Wark to talk leadership, building hospitals through COVID, and how technology and uncertainty is shaping the future of health services in Australia.

Graeme Newton – on lessons from the 2011 QLD floods and building Brisbane's new underground Jun 08, 2021

Adrian and our new co-host Janice sit down with Cross River Rail Delivery Authority CEO Graeme Newton to talk about the lessons from the 2011 Queensland flood in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges of building Brisbane's new underground beneath the Brisbane River and CBD, and what's required to make Queensland's 2032 Olympic Bid a success.

Mike Mrdak AO – on 30 years in the public service and the new frontier for digital infrastructure Dec 21, 2020

In the last episode for 2020, Adrian and Ilya sit down with former Secretary of the Department of Communications and the Arts, Mike Mrdak AO to discuss his 30 year career in the public service, the infrastructure market reform agenda of the 1980s and 90s, and the evolution of the telco sector and new frontier for digital infrastructure investment.

Nicole Lockwood – on independent infrastructure advice and the growing freight task in WA Dec 08, 2020

Adrian and Ilya talk with Deputy Chair of Infrastructure WA Nicole Lockwood about the infrastructure advisory body model, the trends and chief drivers behind the freight system overhaul in the WA, and why we need a focus on rational pricing and social licence in infrastructure provision.

Rita Saffioti – on WA’s infrastructure response to COVID and path to recovery Nov 12, 2020

Adrian and Ilya sat down with WA Minister for Transport and Planning, the Hon. Rita Saffioti MLA, to discuss the WA Government's infrastructure response to COVID-19, the pathway to recovery, and the nexus between land use planning and transport infrastructure.

Michael Brennan – on Australia’s reform opportunities and the future of productivity Jul 09, 2020

Adrian and Ilya sat down with Chair of the Productivity Commission, Michael Brennan to discuss Australia’s reform opportunities, how the economy might evolve coming out of COVID-19, and what the future of productivity growth may look like in a services-based economy.

John Pickhaver – on the evolution of infra financing, decarbonisation, and digital disruption Jun 23, 2020

Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, Adrian and Ilya sat down with Co-Head of Macquarie Capital, Australia and New Zealand John Pickhaver to discuss his journey from civil engineering to private finance, the evolution of infrastructure financing in Australia, and the opportunities of technological disruption.

Marika Calfas – on the evolution of NSW Ports and technology’s impact on the freight supply chain Apr 21, 2020

Before the outbreak of COVID-19, Adrian and Ilya sat down with CEO of NSW Ports Marika Calfas to discuss the evolution of NSW Ports, what the organisation is doing to sustainably grow trade and improve the efficiency of its supply chain, and the enormous change that new technologies and automation has brought to port operations around the world.

Tony Shepherd AO – on COVID-19, infrastructure stimulus, and why he’s a GWS Giants enthusiast Apr 07, 2020

Adrian and Ilya sit down with one of Australia’s most respected businessmen – and GWS Giants enthusiast – Tony Shepherd to discuss his career, insights on the COVID-19 crisis, and what stimulus and broader reform measures are required to battle the economic fallout of the global pandemic.

Bernard Tabary – on his global career in transport & the value of different forms of procurement Mar 09, 2020

Adrian and Ilya sit down with CEO International of Keolis, Bernard Tabary to discuss his global career in transport, his views on franchising and the future implications for transport as technology evolves.

Amy Brown – on her career journey and the unquantified social benefits of infrastructure Feb 04, 2020

Adrian and Ilya sit down with the Deputy Secretary of Strategy and Delivery at the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, Amy Brown to discuss her varied career across the public and private sectors, the often unquantified social benefits of infrastructure, whole-of-life service delivery, and how the NSW Government is changing its thinking about customer needs.

Tim Nelson – on his early career and the tortured history of Australian energy policy Dec 16, 2019

Adrian and Ilya sat down with Executive General Manager Australian Energy Market Commission Tim Nelson to discuss his early career, the tortured history of energy policy in Australia, and what the Commission is doing to optimise its regulatory frameworks to integrate a new wave of technological disruption.

Jon Lamonte – on how he went from the Royal Air Force to building trains in Sydney Oct 25, 2019

Adrian and Ilya talk with CEO of Sydney Metro Jon Lamonte about his 32 years in the Royal Air Force, what he learnt flying Hercules planes in the Falkland Islands and running transport for Greater Manchester, and his reflections on Australia’s largest metro project.

Susan Anderson – on her Uber rating, the future of mobility, and road pricing Sep 05, 2019

Adrian and Ilya talk with the General Manger of Uber Australia and New Zealand, Susan Anderson about her Uber rating, how the rider sharing platform has stayed ahead in the Australian market, and her reflections on the future of mobility and road pricing.

Rodd Staples – on his rise to NSW Transport Secretary and the power of transport data Jul 30, 2019

Adrian and Ilya talk with Rodd Staples about his journey to the top job as Secretary of Transport for NSW, how the power of data is transforming the way Sydney’s transport network is planned and operated, and the big customer-centered changes underway at TfNSW.

Graham Bradley Part 2 – on Infrastructure NSW and good advice in the age of mega-projects Jul 09, 2019

In part two of their conversation, Adrian and Ilya talk with Graham Bradley about his chairmanship of Infrastructure NSW and the importance of good infrastructure advice in the age of mega-projects.

Graham Bradley Part 1 – on his life as a professional board director and the energy sector Jul 01, 2019

In part one of their conversation, Adrian and Ilya talk with Chair of Infrastructure NSW Graham Bradley about his life as a professional board director, the role of social licence to operate in corporate governance, and the challenges in Australia’s energy sector.

Avery Bang – on connecting the rural last mile and her big vision for the aid sector Jun 03, 2019

Adrian and Ilya talk with President and CEO of Bridges to Prosperity, Avery Bang about connecting the rural last mile, managing the pitfalls and challenges of remote infrastructure delivery, and her big vision to transform the aid sector. If you want to find out more about the work of Bridges to Prosperity or get involved visit www.bridgestoprosperity.org.

Hon Tim Pallas MP – on unions, the upcoming state budget, and the rise of EVs May 23, 2019

Adrian and Ilya talk with Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas about his early years’ in the union movement, eventual rise to the treasury benches, what to expect in the upcoming state budget, and his views on the Electric Vehicle debate.

Hon Anthony Albanese MP – on his remarkable childhood & vision for infrastructure in Australia Mar 29, 2019

Leader of the Australian Labor Party, Anthony Albanese MP chats with Adrian and Ilya about the remarkable story of his childhood, growing up in the inner west as a young Labor man, and his vision for infrastructure in Australia.

Scott Charlton - Transurban CEO reveals his key predictions for the future of transport Feb 22, 2019

Transurban CEO Scott Charlton reveals his key predictions for the future of transport and the need to price Australian roads.

Dr Kerry Schott AO - from PE teacher, Oxford Mathematician to infrastructure tsar Feb 22, 2019

From PE teacher, Oxford mathematician to infrastructure tsar. We speak to Kerry Schott about her rise to the top of the sector.

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