In terms of the Strategy, FTA / APSA see merit in the department formally commissioning the first five-year review, importantly with an expanded scope to include: - key Government priorities of decarbonisation and supply chain resilience; AND
- an increased focus in international freight and cross-border reforms.
Supporting this position, FTA / APSA have prepared the following submission with seven (7) recommendations in response to the specific questions as outlined in the Strategy Discussion Paper (August 2023) : RECOMMENDATION 1 - the Strategy to introduce a focus on cross-border and international freight activities. RECOMMENDATION 2 – the Federal Government to respond to the Productivity Commission Review of Australia's Maritime Logistics System with policy outcomes to be incorporated into the Strategy's goals. RECOMMENDATION 3 - as a priority, targeted national actions need to specifically address shipping competition law (including repeal of Part X CCA, exclusive dealings via vertical integration, quayside cost recovery), Terminal Access Charges (stevedores & empty container parks), container detention (import & export). RECOMMENDATION 4 – the Strategy to engage with the World Bank to establish KPIs aligned to its 'trading across borders' rankings. RECOMMENDATION 5 – the Strategy to take a genuine and holistic approach to supply chain reform (including actions emerging from the Simplified Trade System and the Productivity Commission review of Australia's Maritime Logistics System). RECOMMENDATION 6 - maintain the existing Strategy governance arrangements with the Freight Industry Reference Panel (FIRP) including an expanded shipper (exporter / importer) representation. RECOMMENDATION 7 - APSA, being the peak body as designated by the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development of Australia, to receive appropriate federal government funding to: 1) resource key representation to the FIRP; and 2) ongoing administration of Part X of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 on behalf of all Australian containerised exporters and importers. The FTA / APSA submission is available HERE
Tom Jensen - Head of International Freight & Logistics - FTA / APSA Copyright © 2023 Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Pty Ltd, All rights reserved. |