THE government has re-appointed former Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss AC as chair of the Australian Rail Track Corporation.

Transport minister, Michael McCormack, said that Truss’s wealth of knowledge in governance, freight and regional Australia continues to make him a valuable asset to the ARTC board.

“As a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Mr Truss has been a driving force in the delivery of significant Australian government infrastructure investments, including the early funding for Inland Rail,” Mr Mc Cormack said.

“In his role as infrastructure and transport minister, Mr Truss had a vision for regional rail and an acute understanding of the needs of regional communities, it is this vision and leadership that he brings to his role with the ARTC.

“Under Mr Truss’s leadership, ARTC continues to support critical supply chain services, having navigated the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Finance minister, Simon Birmingham, said Mr Truss’s continued leadership will be essential as Inland Rail transitions from planning and design to construction.

“Under Mr Truss’s leadership ARTC will be well positioned to deliver this world class infrastructure through continuity in overseeing the operation of Australia’s critical freight rail network,” he said.