Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have received a letter from the Deputy PM in response to our formal submission and meeting on 31 July 2020 in terms of stevedore-imposed Infrastructure Surcharges / Terminal Access Charges.
The correspondence is available HERE (FTA / APSA MEMBER LOGIN REQUIRED)
Importantly the Deputy PM notes the following:- support for our advocacy, noting the operational and cost implications for exporters and importers caused by Infrastructure Surcharges;
- acknowledgement of our positive engagement on broader freight and trade policy matters during COVID-19;
- clear articulation that stevedore pricing reform is a state government responsibility (negating arguments from the states pointing back to the Federal Govt to lead); and
- reference to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to ensure that stevedores involved vertical integration operations do so on a 'level playing field' with others in the supply chain and do not use Terminal Access Charges for commercial advantage / offset pricing.
FTA / APSA will continue advocacy at a federal level but for now will use this opportunity to again turn our attention towards state government intervention. |
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