Examining ‘Tunnel Vision’ in Australian PPPs: Rationales, Rhetoric, Risks and ‘Rogues’

摘要

This article examines Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in Australia, and particularly those associated with major economic infrastructure development. Methodologically, the article relies on a qualitative case study approach, based on research initially supported by the Australian Research Council (Johnston and Gudergan 2005-2007) and continuing. Of special interest is the failure of the Cross-City Tunnel tollway in Sydney which is used to illustrate critical issues. The article finds that while Australian governments enjoy an international reputation for PPP success, there remains a number of fundamental pitfalls that need to be addressed if future PPPs are to uphold the public interest. Problems created through the unpredictability, especially for business, of the political environment and arrangements in which PPPs take place appear to be particularly significant.