Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have lodged a detailed submission to the Senate Select Committee on Productivity in Australia.
SUBMISSION AVAILABLE HERE
Following our recent meeting with Committee members in Canberra, the submission outlines the urgent structural reforms required to address escalating supply chain costs, declining port productivity, regulatory inefficiencies, and emerging border security risks that are materially undermining Australia's national productivity and trade competitiveness. The submission highlights that: - Landside charges imposed by stevedores and empty container parks have increased at extraordinary rates despite stagnant or declining port productivity.
- Australia's containerised trade operates within a highly consolidated global shipping market, amplifying power imbalances and reducing competitive tension.
- Terminal Access Charges and detention practices are imposing systemic, non-negotiable costs across the supply chain.
- Air cargo productivity is constrained by inadequate national planning, freight land protection, and airport regulatory settings.
- Border and biosecurity reform presents an opportunity to both enhance community protection and improve trade efficiency, including through a proposed direct duty/GST payment model to prevent identity theft and 'piggyback' illegal imports.
The submission consolidates long-standing FTA/APSA advocacy and sets out eight key overarching recommendations covering: Freight infrastructure investment and last-mile connectivity Commercial accountability mechanisms Minimum service levels and notification periods Reform or repeal of Part X of the Competition and Consumer Act Regulation of Terminal Access Charges Regulation of container detention practices National air cargo planning reform Border and biosecurity productivity improvements
This inquiry represents an important opportunity to secure meaningful, nationally coordinated reform rather than continued reliance on voluntary frameworks that have demonstrably failed to restrain cost escalation. We encourage members to review the submission and welcome your feedback to tjensen@FTAlliance.com.au. Should you wish to raise specific issues or examples that may assist further advocacy with the Committee, please do not hesitate to contact us. |