- Michael Schaper appointed chair of Infrastructure WA
- Former deputy chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to replace Nicole Lockwood after seven years in the role
- Dr Schaper to lead agency's shift to becoming the 2050 Commission
Michael Schaper has been appointed chair of Infrastructure WA, steering the agency in the coming months as it becomes the 2050 Commission.
Dr Schaper, who spent 10 years as deputy chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and currently serves as Infrastructure WA's deputy chair, has significant experience in public sector governance as chair of Energy Consumers Australia and Energy and Water Ombudsman WA.
He will replace Nicole Lockwood, who will step down as Infrastructure WA's chair after seven years in the role.
The appointment of a new chair to Infrastructure WA comes as the agency begins transitioning to the 2050 Commission, the State's first-ever productivity commission charged with providing strategic advice to government on the productivity, growth, and transformation of the State's economy ahead of and beyond 2050.
The 2050 Commission will carry out Infrastructure WA's key functions, including conducting Major Infrastructure Proposal Assessments, as well as adopting broad inquiry functions.
Legislation to establish the 2050 Commission is to be introduced in the second half of this year with a view to establishing the agency in mid-2027.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"Michael Schaper's extensive background in public sector governance makes him an ideal candidate to oversee Infrastructure WA as it goes through a critical transition, and I want to congratulate him on his appointment as chair.
"I also want to thank Nicole Lockwood for her seven years as chair and wish her the best in her future roles.
"Infrastructure WA has played a key role advising government on policy for many years, and its transformation into the 2050 Commission will ensure it continues to play a critical role advising government on how the State will need to grow and transform in the coming years."
