FINANCIAL RELIEF
As a part of the Federal Government's Economic and Fiscal Update this coming Thursday, 23 July 2020, it is widely anticipated that the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP (Treasurer) will be making announcements about further COVID-19 financial relief measures.
As members would be well aware, Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have been leading industry's engagement with Treasury and the Australian Taxation Office advocating for ongoing support in terms of the deferment of import taxes, successful eradication of the proposed Biosecurity Import Levy, Cash Flow Boost / JobKeeper eligibility for our sector and support for the International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM).
Our most recent advocacy has focused on maintaining financial support for members beyond the scheduled end of JobKeeper on 27 September 2020 and maintaining IFAM into 2021.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND THE AVIATION SECTOR
This ties in with the government's focus on aviation and keeping aircraft in the sky to support jobs, a position also being pursued via initiatives such as AviationKeeper
FTA / APSA has highlighted that airlines are increasingly deploying passenger aircraft for freight purposes and have initiated new freight only services. This has been complemented by freight forwarders who have also initiated chartered services utilising what would otherwise be idle passenger aircraft.
The positive results to date have been achieved by a combination of actions by commerce and via the support of government financial relief measures.
The FTA / APSA position is that that the Federal Government must allocate additional funds to maintain financial relief measures to support the air cargo supply chain sector until the end of 2021 (at minimum), with actual allocation of funds subject to periodic reviews pending the return of international passenger flight services.
Such measures would facilitate continuation of access to global markets for Australian exporters, importation of time-sensitive goods (including medical, PPE and other essential supplies) and has maintain residual Australian jobs in the aviation sector.
FORMAL SUBMISSIONS
In last weeks' correspondence sent to the Treasurer and relevant ministers, FTA / APSA has highlighted the need for support beyond airlines, referencing the entire supply chain including air cargo terminal operators, specialist transport operators, freight forwarders and customs brokers – refer HERE
In further breaking news, we are delighted to advise that following our submission to the Inquiry into the Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic for Australia's Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, FTA / APSA has accepted an invitation to present at a public hearing next week (30 July 2020) before the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT). In line with the above referenced advocacy for financial relief measures, a supplementary submission has been submitted to the committee this morning, 20 July 2020 – refer HERE |
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