FTA / APSA - ADVOCACY

Sec 77G Depot suspension and Infringement Notices

As outlined in member notices, FTA is seeking further feedback from members on Infringement Notices, licensing and broader related matters to ascertain trends in the ABF focus and areas where concerted informed compliance attention is required.  READ MORE

DAFF Document Assessment

As recommended in last week's release of the FTA three-point plan, it is essential that additional funds be allocated for DAFF officer overtime until additional permanent resources and benefits of the STEPS initiative are realised.  READ MORE

FTA / APSA - IN THE MEDIA

DCN - DP World and union meeting in doubt

EXTRACT: Paul Zalai, director of the Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) said he was stunned when told that negotiations with the Electrical Trades Union have been simmering away in the background. "When the wharfies were on strike, many suggested we need robots to replace them," Mr Zalai said. "This shows up the fact that automation is still reliant on humans to service them, and the importance of this workforce and its union now comes to the fore". 

A full list of our extensive ongoing media coverage is available HERE

FTA / APSA - OUT & ABOUT

2024 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, 8 March

FTA / APSA - TRAINING & EVENTS

FTA SECTION 77G DEPOT & APPROVED ARRANGEMENTS FORUMS

LIMITED CAPACITY - DELEGATES TO BE ALLOCATED ON A "FIRST IN" BASIS

FTA, APSA and CTAA are delighted to host a series of upcoming Depot Forums where the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and the Australian Border Force (ABF) senior officers will deliver presentations on emerging reforms and current compliance activity to assist in managing your Section 77G Depot and Approved Arrangement facilities. READ MORE

1 MAY 2024 : FTA NSW Section 77G & Approved Arrangement Forum 
10 MAY 2024 : FTA WA Section 77G & Approved Arrangement Forum 
15 MAY 2024 : FTA VIC Section 77G & Approved Arrangement Forum 
11 JUNE 2024 : FTA QLD Section 77G & Approved Arrangement Forum 
 

AUSTRALIAN BORDER FORCE (ABF) MANDATORY CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD) MODULE

ABF advised under the Australian Customs Notice No. 2023/23 that 
ALL licensed customs brokers must complete this mandatory module by 31 March 2024

Please NOTE it is ONLY available via the ABF Australian Trusted Trader (ATT) training portal - read more.

REGISTER NOW

2024 CPD BORDER COMPLIANCE PROGRAM

3 MAY 2024 : NSW CPD Border Compliance Program 
4 MAY 2024 : NSW CPD Border Compliance Program
11 MAY 2024 : WA CPD Border Compliance Program 
31 MAY 2024 : VIC CPD Border Compliance Program
1 JUNE 2024 : VIC CPD Border Compliance Program
12 JUNE 2024 : QLD CPD Border Compliance Program

By registering for one of the above events you will receive a minimum of 21 customs broker Continuing Professional Developments (CPD) points issued on an attendance basis for the customs broker licensing period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 and complimentary online CPD and CBC access to meet your licensing and approved arrangement requirements for the period.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

Former industry character, Les Cornish, has passed away at the age of 90. Les was the Managing Director of Sydney-based Customs  Agency, Geo. Cornish Pty Limited, from 1969 until February 1989, when the business was sold to Kent Heazlett and the late Allen Kirkwood. The company name was subsequently changed to Cornish International.
 
Les entered the industry back in 1951, when he joined the family company. Geo. Cornish was founded by Les's father, George, back in 1931.
 
Les is survived by his wife, Shirley and children Leanne, Brett and Mark.
 
A funeral service will be held on Friday 1st March at 12.00 noon at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium, 199 Delhi Road, North Ryde
 

LOGISTICS

In this session, Westport's Managing Director provided an introductory overview of Westport and answered audience questions. Responses to questions we didn't have time to answer are now available on the website. To join our next webinar on Tuesday 27th February see HERE

Minister for the Environment and Water, The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP delivered a speech last week again strongly supporting the  Clothing Stewardship Scheme called Seamless. Seamless aims to create a circular clothing industry by 2030, where responsible stewardship and citizenship are embedded across the entire clothing lifecycle. Freight & Trade Alliance member, ebay, in conjunction with the Australian Fashion Council recently announced the 2024 winner of the Circular Fashion Fund winner  to support circular business solutions. READ MORE

FTA & APSA, as part of the Consultative Group for the Maritime Emissions Reduction National Action Plan (MERNAP), are preparing a response to Issues Paper 3 focussing on Skills and Training which was recently released by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (the Department). Submissions for the Issues Paper 3 are now open and members are encouraged to supply feedback to Tom Jensen by 05 March 2024 for incorporation into the FTA/APSA submission. READ MORE

The Port of Melbourne has boosted its capability with the completion of the Webb Dock East Extension project. The multi-million dollar project involved demolishing a redundant section of concrete – 'the knuckle' – and extending the quay line by 71 metres. Already Australia's largest container and general cargo port, traffic at the Port of Melbourne continues to grow.
READ MORE

Freight Victoria in the Department of Transport and Planning has released the quarter four, 2024 dashboard under the Voluntary Port Performance Model (VPPM). Industry stakeholders can view the dashboard by visiting the Voluntary Performance Monitoring Framework (VPMF) webpage. This dashboard provides data from the three stevedores and other stakeholders and is updated every quarter, providing monthly performance data, to increase transparency of land-side port operations.

Warehouse and Depot Security Identification Card (WADSIC)

Inbound connects thousands of participants in licensed Sec 77G Depot and Sec 79 Warehouses around Australia through its technology platform - FTA has partnered with Inbound to provide industry with an easy way to procure compliant WADSICs. -  READ MORE 

The halfway mark in the financial year has delivered positive trade results for Port of Townsville. To the end of Q2, throughput at the Townsville and Lucinda ports totalled 4.1 million tonnes, comprising 1.3 million tonnes imported and 2.8 million tonnes exported. Some strong performers have delivered a particularly positive outlook for growers, miners and car retailers across the region. READ MORE

The Port of Melbourne's Public Boat Tours are back on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 March 2024, with all proceeds going to support the thousands of courageous and resilient seafarers who work tirelessly to make sure our goods are delivered - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. READ MORE

SEAFREIGHT

The Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) is the designated peak shipper body granted status by the Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport under Part X of the Consumer & Competition Act to represent the interests of Australian shippers generally in relation to liner cargo shipping services. The following notice has been received and is available to members' reference.

• 21 FEBRUARY 2024 : Part X: Notice of the Happening of an Affecting Event - for Kiwi Express Service inwards and outwards service

Notices:

AIRFREIGHT

WiseTech Global and avianca cargo partner to improve booking experience via CargoWise eBookings

Published 21 February 2024
 
International Terminal Service Fee invoices covering the period from 24 Sep 2023 commenced distribution in early Jan 2024. The latest invoice covering the week of 3 Dec to 9 Dec 2023 is being distributed to the normal recipients for invoices via email from 21 Feb 2024. All remaining outstanding invoices will be distributed in the coming weeks and we'll keep you updated on when they're available

Notices:

BIOSECURITY

Cargo Operations Snapshot 

The Department has advised the return of the Cargo Operations Snapshot. Members will see a few changes one of which is the addition of a section on Cargo Compliance. When viewing the report we suggest members note the Data Definitions on page 3.

February 26 Report   LOGIN REQUIRED 

Notices:

BORDER

Depot penalties  - FTA seeking member feedback for informed compliance program

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) is receiving advice from members indicating an alarming increase in the number of Australian Border Force (ABF) Infringement Notices being issued against Depot facilities licensed in accordance with Sec 77G of the Customs Act. FTA is seeking further feedback from members with details of the Infringement Notices to ascertain trends in the ABF focus and areas where concerted informed compliance attention is required.

Please send details of the Infringement Notice and associated circumstances to Tom Jensen (Head of International Freight & Logistics - FTA / APSA). All material will be treated on a confidential basis. READ MORE

Australian Customs Notice 2024/06 has been issued in relation to new legislation that cane into effect in 21 February 2024. The Regulations amend the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958 (the Prohibited Exports Regulations) and the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 (the Prohibited Imports Regulations) to impose controls on the importation and exportation of certain drugs being: READ MORE

Notices:

TRADE

Trade Data Update Week Ending 26th February 2024

National ports, the Australian Bureau of statistics and data from other sources  
 LOGIN REQUIRED 

In this issue Austrade look at

• New trade opportunities foe Aussie agriculture

• Australia's supply chain integrity

• Australia's record agriculture, fisheries and forestry exports
  READ MORE

Anti-Dumping Notices Week Ending 26th February 2024

FTA has compiled a list of Anti-Dumping Notices from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources 
 LOGIN REQUIRED 

Notices:

WEBINARS & RECORDINGS

Stay at the cutting edge through participation in live webinars and access to recordings – all are FREE & EXCLUSIVE to Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) members.     LOGIN REQUIRED 

13.9.2023 : Webinars & Recordings ... login required

Operational Support
For the timeliest response from our team, FTA / APSA members are reminded to send requests for operational support to support@FTAlliance.com.au

To select your communication preferences please click on "Update Subscription Preferences" at the bottom of any FTA notice -  READ MORE

SPONSORS

FTA and APSA are proud to connect members with the following sponsors as leading suppliers of services to the freight and trade sectors.

2023 sponsorship prospectus is available HERE