Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) yesterday (14 April 2021) joined the Export Council of Australia to represent the international trade sector in a forum with a broad cross-section of Australian commerce examining the Government's Deregulation Agenda.
FTA / APSA were encouraged by the scope of the Agenda as outlined in the formal invitation, in particular the statement from the Hon Ben Morton MP (Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister):
"A well-regulated economy helps Australia to prosper, as well as maintaining safeguards for the community and the environment. But we should be doing this at the lowest cost to business".
REGULATORY OVERLAP
FTA / APSA addressed a wide range of examples of over-lap in statutory processing / regulation including: duplication of trade promotions; product safety; the 'circular economy' (recycling product); transportation of dangerous goods; digital certificates / signing documents (including paper based Justice of Peace); delivery curfews; Border and Biosecurity (noting Trade Single Window / Simplified Trade System); and rail incentivisation.
Prime Minister & Cabinet (PM&C) executives were appreciative of this detail and welcomed additional examples of regulatory duplication at national, state and/or international level. Similarly, examples were sought whereby regulators could better co-ordinate so businesses only have to interact once.
Please send detail direct to me at pzalai@FTAlliance.com.au for incorporation into the follow-up FTA / APSA submission to the Assistant Minister.
OTHER ADVOCACY MATTERS
Importantly, FTA / APSA were given the opportunity to raise the following matters: - the need for new 'well-regulated' reform to protect shippers (exporters, importer and logistics providers) highlighting the need to address shipping competition matters, rapidly increasing supply chain costs and capacity issues;
- the serious threat to the airfreight sector post September 2021 when the International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM) expires - FTA / APSA highlighted the need for continuation of financial support until international borders are open (noting that 80% of air cargo traditionally moves in the belly space of passenger aircraft);
- a need for Biosecurity reforms noting industry engagement with the department on immediate relief measures and co-design of longer term initiatives – opportunity of reaching a global benchmark of best practice; and
- the need for waterfront industrial action reform to provide guaranteed business continuity for the international trade sector.
The above items will be referenced in the FTA / APSA submission to the Productivity Commission's review into Australia's supply chain stability. FTA / APSA gave a commitment PM&C executives to share the detail our final submission and to have further focused engagement on matters raised.
FTA / APSA will continue the lead on regulatory reform and will keep members at the cutting edge of developments. |
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