MEDIA RELEASE - 30th of August 2016

Australia's export peak body announces new Secretariat 

On the 18th of August, 2016, the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) entered into an agreement with the Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) to take on advocacy and administrative responsibilities for the Association with full secretariat responsibilities to commence from the 1st of January, 2017.

The Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) is the designated peak body for Australia's oceanfreight exporters and Australia's sole representative to the Global Shippers Forum. 
 
The APSA board would like to thank the current secretariat, Mr. Robert Coode, for his exceptional service to Australia's exporters over many decades with the Association and during his career at Murray-Goulburn. Mr. Coode will be retained by FTA in an advocacy role and to provide support with administrative arrangements.

A new combined website (www.FTAlliance.com.au) has been launched today allowing members of both organisations to immediately benefit from enhanced operational updates, industry news and recent submissions.

APSA and FTA will be meeting with the Hon. Darren Chester, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, on the 9th of September to advise him formally of the arrangements.

In the coming weeks APSA will be appointing a Chairman and Treasurer from their Board of Directors.

In a time of growing uncertainty for shipping lines and shippers, the bringing together of two leading industry bodies is an important step in ensuring Australia's major exporters are being represented in future trade reforms, infrastructure planning and other Government decisions

Paul Zalai
Executive Director
Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA)

Robert Coode
Executive President
Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA)

For media enquiries or for more information, please contact: 

Travis Brooks-Garrett
tbrooks-garrett@FTAlliance.com.au
0434 105 145  

Further Information 

Advocacy Priorities

In an expanded Secrariat role, FTA will be taking carriage of a number of issues critical to Australian exporters. These include:

1. The revision of Part X of the Competition and Consumer Act- to ensure Australia has frequent and competitive shipping line services to our major trading destinations;

2. The regulation and transparency of Terminal Handling Charges and surcharges- to ensure the cost of trading out of our ports is not disadvantaging our exporters;

3. Input into future infrastructure planning and trade agreements- to ensure that Government is listening to Australia's exporters, as major economic contributors.

About APSA

 
The Australian Peak Shipper Association is the peak body for Australia's exporters under the designation of the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, under Part X of the Competition and Consumer Act. APSA represents the interests of its members with State and Federal Governments, relevant Government departments, statutory authorities, stevedores, shipping lines, transport operators, warehousing & storage operators, Shipping Australia Ltd and any other stakeholder that may impact on the ability of members to conduct their business successfully. Current members represent Australia's largest exporters by volume including Visy, Murray-Goulburn, Sunrice, Enirgi Metals, Bega, Barrett Burston Malting, Cargills and others.
 

About FTA

Freight & Trade Alliance is a member-based organisation representing major importers (Woolworths, Target, Myer, Pacific Brands) and logistics service providers (DHL, UPS, Geodis Wilson, DB Schenker, Fedex) providing advocacy and operational support. FTA's membership represents approximately 70% of Australia's inbound containerised trade. FTA has been elected to Government committees including the National Committee for Trade Facilitation; the Cargo Working Group and the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Cargo Consultative Committee.

Sectretariat Structure