ADVOCACY
FTA and APSA wrote yesterday (Sunday 6 April 2025) to Senator the Hon Don Farrell Trade (Minister for Trade and Tourism) acknowledging the federal government's relief measures in response to the US Tariff announcement.
Importantly, the correspondence also urged a response to the key findings of the Productivity Commission's 2022 Review of Australia's Maritime Logistics System.
As outlined in the FTA / APSA correspondence from 19 January 2023, FTA and APSA highlighted to the Minister the need to repeal of foreign owned shipping line exemptions from Australian competition law and well-considered regulation to specific landside commercial practices.
Adding weight to this position, FTA and APSA pointed to the Australian Competition Consumer Commission (ACCC) latest Stevedore Monitoring Report with Commissioner Anna Brakey on record stating "We have found there are likely market failures in the container freight supply chain which may warrant a policy or a regulatory response".
Furthermore, FTA and APSA shared details of recent meetings with senior advisors of the assistant Trade Minister and Treasurer providing evidence of $2 billion in incontestable charges imposed by contracted parties to foreign owned shipping lines.
At a time of significant uncertainty for the international trade sector, FTA and APSA highlighted the essential need for an additional government measure to address the Productivity Commission and ACCC identified market failures. |