Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have escalated advocacy to the Federal Government calling for regulatory reform. Supporting this outcome and in response to the 2025–26 Pre-Budget submission process, FTA and APSA provided a formal submission with the following key recommendations: - Increased Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) funding to monitor vertical Integration in logistics;
- Reform and increased funding for the Fair Work Commission (FWC);
- Review shipping line protections currently provided by Part X of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010;
- Mandatory industry code to regulate port-related fees (stevedores and empty container parks);
- Funding reform and improved cost recovery for Australia's border and biosecurity agencies;
- Expanding rail investment to support increased use of rail for containerised cargo transport; and
- Funding to support workforce renewal in the international logistics sector.
These recommendations represent a proactive strategy to strengthen Australia's trade sector, benefiting not only importers and exporters but also the essential trade facilitators who enable the efficient movement of goods across borders.
In parallel, FTA and APSA representatives met last Friday with Senator the Hon. Bridget McKenzie (Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development). At a time of increased global trade uncertainty with the rapidly growing momentum for protectionist measures, discussion centred on the need for Australian government action to stimulate economic growth and improve export competitiveness. |
|