Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann

As shareholder Ministers, we are pleased to confirm the incorporation of the WSA Co Limited. This is the next significant step in the Government’s priority to deliver a second airport for Sydney.

With an investment of up to $5.3 billion in equity, WSA Co will operate as a Commonwealth Company, prescribed as a Government Business Enterprise.

WSA Co will be chaired by Mr Paul O’Sullivan. Mr O’Sullivan is the current Chair and former Chief Executive of Optus. Mr O’Sullivan’s business leadership expertise makes him highly credentialed to lead the company delivering Western Sydney Airport. His deep experience leading an infrastructure business as it established market share against a long established incumbent will be of great value as Western Sydney Airport is planned and constructed before commencing operations by 2026.

Mr O’Sullivan will be joined by Mrs Fiona Balfour, Mr Tim Eddy and Ms Christine Spring as directors of WSA Co.

Mrs Balfour has over 35 years’ experience across a range of industries. She is a long-serving airline executive and is currently a member of the Airservices Australia board.

Mr Eddy has over 30 years’ experience in professional services with a focus on commercial transactions, most recently as Managing Partner Operations, Oceania, Ernst & Young.

Ms Spring is an expert in aviation infrastructure and airport operations, as well as a civil engineer with approximately 20 years’ experience. She has a focus on planning and construction of significant capital development projects in the aviation industry.

The board’s early priorities will be to recruit its CEO and senior management and to commence procurement of construction activities. 

To complement the experience of the directors announced today, the Government expects to appoint further directors in coming months, with a further focus on construction expertise and experience in Western Sydney.