FTA/APSA Senate Committee Appearance - Inquiry into Productivity in Australia

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) appeared before the Senate Select Committee on Productivity in Australia on Thursday, 30 July 2026.

Tom Jensen, General Manager Freight Policy & Operations at FTA/APSA, provided evidence on barriers to productivity across Australia's international freight and logistics sector. Drawing on the FTA/APSA formal submission to the inquiry, evidence focused on increasing landside costs, competition settings in international shipping, freight infrastructure productivity and broader supply chain reform needed to improve Australia's international competitiveness.

Importantly, evidence highlighted that productivity outcomes are not determined solely by infrastructure investment, but by the efficiency of freight networks, the competitiveness of supply chain arrangements, and the ability of exporters and importers to operate in an environment that rewards efficiency, transparency and accountability.

Key matters reinforced during the appearance included:

• the need for reform of Terminal Access Charges (TACs) - and Empty Container Park (ECP) fees - which have become significant uncontestable costs imposed on Australian supply chains, with support for either recovery of these costs through direct commercial customers or implementation of an ACCC-supervised mandatory code as recommended by the Productivity Commission; 
• repeal or reform of Part X of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, while retaining shipper collective bargaining rights, to better reflect the realities of a highly consolidated and vertically integrated global shipping market and improve competition, accountability and transparency;
• the importance of improving freight infrastructure connectivity, including better integration of ports, road and rail networks, and ensuring that infrastructure investment is measured against tangible productivity outcomes rather than construction activity alone; 
• the need to address broader commercial and operational inefficiencies across international supply chains, including measures that strengthen accountability, improve service reliability, and reduce avoidable costs imposed on exporters, importers and intermediary logistics providers; and
• support for practical supply chain reforms that enhance Australia's trade competitiveness, reduce unnecessary costs for business, improve resilience and contribute to stronger national productivity outcomes.

FTA/APSA thank the Committee for the opportunity to contribute to this important inquiry and look forward to continued engagement as it considers measures to strengthen Australia's productivity, supply chain resilience and international trade competitiveness.