Sensational News ! In response to the Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) advocacy to the National Covid-19 Coordination Commission, I was contacted last night by the advisor of the Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) who stated that $110m in airfreight support initiatives will be provided to keep supply lines open for airfreight during the COVID-19 crisis.   It was noted that this specifically aligns to our recommendation "to ensure business continuity, it will be necessary for funding to support traders of perishable goods reliant on air cargo to export to or import from global markets" – FTA / APSA formal submission is available HERE.   We look forward to our ongoing collaboration with the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC), the Australian Horticulture Export and Import Association (AHEIA) and the Seafood Industry Council who alongside FTA / APSA have all lobbied hard with government to achieve this outcome.

Briefing

Based on last night's brief, we understand:   initially the focus will be on China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the UAE, with four key departure hubs: Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth; and focus initially will be seafood, red meat, horticulture and dairy with focus also on the backhaul for medical supplies etc.    The program will be overseen by Mr Michael Byrne who has been appointed as the International Freight Coordinator General.   Michael has significant international logistics experience as Managing Director of Australia's two largest logistics companies (Toll Holdings and Linfox) as well as being a non-executive director of Australia Post.    Michael will work with Austrade to help establish arrangements with exporters, airlines and freight forwarders and will oversee the mechanism's operations including advising the Government of destinations, freight selection and prioritisation.    FTA / APSA will provide a further member update following a formal briefing with Ministers Birmingham, Littleproud and Duniam at 12pm AEDT tomorrow, Thursday 2 April 2020.

Paul Zalai -  Director and Co-Founder, FTA / Secretariat, APSA