As we count down to 11.59 AEST, we face further complications …
SYSTEMS CRASH
It probably comes as no surprise that the that Permitted Worker Scheme has crashed.
As an interim measure, a copy of the Permitted Worker Permit is available HERE (FTA / APSA MEMBER LOGIN REQUIRED)
IMPORT OPERATIONS
Further to our letter to the he Hon Daniel Andrews MP Premier of Victoria on 3 August, Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) this morning sent further correspondence to the Premier and the Hon Melissa Horne MP, Minister for Ports and Freight (copy Senator David Fawcett, Chair of the Parliament's Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee; and Mr Neville Power, Chairman National COVID-19 Coordination Commission).
We desperately require confirmation as to whether ALL importers are permitted to receive and unload sea containers.
As outlined at yesterday's meeting hosted yesterday by the Department of Transport, we stated the following:
- We appreciate that retailers need to close their shop fronts but can do home deliveries or 'click & collect'. The logical progression is that they can take stock of import goods to service the Victorian constituents.
- It is critical that ALL imports are allowed to flow otherwise we will have an estimated 300,000 containers over the next six weeks quickly congesting our wharves and impeding the delivery of all goods (including food, PPE, medical etc).
- We also need these import containers to be unpacked and made available for our exporters, in particular to support our struggling agricultural sector that are expecting substantial crops this Spring and are desperate to reach overseas markets.
With less than 16 hours remaining until restrictions take effect, we need an URGENT answer to this fundamental question. |
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