Labor unveils its $15bn National Reconstruction Fund board big guns

Ahmed Fahour, Daniel Walton and Kelly O’Dwyer will lead the Albanese government’s $15bn manufacturing investment fund.

Former head of Australia Post Ahmed Fahour. Picture: Ian Currie

Former head of Australia Post Ahmed Fahour, one-time secretary of the Australian Workers Union Daniel Walton and former Liberal minister Kelly O’Dwyer are among members of the inaugural board of the Albanese government’s $15bn manufacturing investment fund.

Industry Minister Ed Husic announced the seven board members who will head the National Reconstruction Fund in what the government says is the biggest investment in Australian manufacturing capacity in living memory.

Climate change investment leader Martijn Wilder will chair the board, bringing 20 years of industry experience with him.

Mr Husic said the board’s make-up brought a range of diverse experience to “invest in world-class Australian know-how to rebuild our industrial capabilities. With these appointments, the ball is now rolling for the NRF.

“The board’s collective experience brings to bear the independence and industry experience that taxpayers, project proponents and co-investors expect of this critical national project.”

Medical device manufacturer OncoRes Medical chief executive Katharine Giles, director of Meta­Optima Technology Inc Daniel Petre and Regional Investment Corporation chair Karen Smith-Pomeroy have also been appointed to the board, along with South Australian Department of Treasury and Finance’s risk and performance committee chair Kathryn Presser.