Release of the Final Report: Inquiry into National Freight & Supply Chain Priorities

On Friday 18 May 2018 the final report of the Inquiry into National Freight & Supply Chain Priorities was released by the Hon. Michael McComack, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. 

This report is intended to inform Australia's National Freight & Supply Chain Strategy.

The final report is available to view by clicking HERE. 

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association APSA) would like to thank the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development for their close engagement with our team throughout the process.

References to FTA/APSA in the final report include:

"The Australian Peak Shippers Association and allied peak bodies were concerned by the overall costs and inefficiencies of freight movement through the supply chain. There was also a perceived lack in consultations of transparency and efficiency cost drivers on the provision of port services by government (customs/biosecurity).  In particular, there is a strong feeling that these processes are not customer focused and could be improved."

"The Australian Peak Shippers Association advised that grain growers and transport companies found difficulties in attempting to get grain to export markets arising from cancelled or postponed shipping services during the significant 2017 national grain harvest.  Their view is that international shipping line consolidation appears to be impacting on conference agreements established under Part X of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, leading to less use of this provision, which was intended to give certainty to growers about export shipments."

"Participants in agricultural and resource supply chains expressed some concern about the level of economic regulation that was put in place in the privatisation of ports and rail lines and facilities.  There is clearly concern that there should be a better balance between the interests of the users of these facilities and the interests of the shareholders."

To view the FTA/APSA submission please click HERE. 

Letters of Support for the FTA/APSA submission:

Australian Horticultural Exporters and Importers Association 
Australian Cotton Shippers Association 
Australian Hide, Skin and Leather Exporters Association 

Supporting papers provided by the Department include:

Case studies of critical supply chains: Riverina freight flows (PWC) 
Case studies of critical supply chains: Sydney Urban Freight (PWC)

Scenario planning to inform Australia's National Freight & Supply Chain Strategy (Deakin University)
Technology and supply chains for critical industries- agriculture sector (PWC)
Technology and supply chains for critical industries- urban freight (PWC) 

While some key priorities identified by our members and wider industry were not included in the final report, FTA/APSA will continue working with the Department in the lead up to the release of the National Freight & Supply Chain Strategy.

We remain committed to ensuring Australia's cargo owners have a strong voice in the development of freight policy, equal to that given to the major infrastructure operators.


Travis Brooks-Garrett- FTA/APSA