The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) has welcomed parliamentary engagement at a recent ‘Parliamentary Friends of Road Transport, Warehousing and Logistics’ event at Parliament House.
Chaired by Senator Glenn Sterle, with Scott Buchholz as deputy chair, the Parliamentary Friends group brought together ALC members, senior industry leaders and more than 25 members of Parliament, Senators and parliamentary advisers.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles also attended and addressed the event, recognising the national importance of road transport, warehousing and logistics to Australia’s economy, communities and national capability.
ALC CEO Dr Hermione Parsons says the attendance reflects a growing understanding in Parliament that freight transport and freight logistics are central to Australia’s economic performance.
“Freight transport and freight logistics are the core social and economic enabler for Australia,” she says.
“They support every household, every business and every community. They connect farms to export markets, keep hospitals and supermarkets supplied, support construction and manufacturing, and provide the operating backbone for regional Australia.
“The Parliamentary Friends group gives industry a direct and practical forum to discuss the issues that shape supply chain performance, including productivity, infrastructure, workforce, fuel security, safety, regulation and the rising cost of doing business.
“We thank Senator Sterle and Scott Buchholz for their leadership of the group, and the deputy Prime Minister for addressing the event and acknowledging the sector’s national role.”
The ALC says the event comes at a critical time for Australia’s supply chains, with industry facing sustained pressure from fuel volatility, workforce constraints, infrastructure bottlenecks, regulatory complexity and increasing operating costs.
Parsons says strong engagement between industry and Parliament is essential to improving national freight outcomes.
“Reliable supply chains are built through deliberate policy choices, disciplined infrastructure planning and regulation that supports safe, efficient and productive operations,” she says.
“This discussion reinforced the need for governments and industry to work closely on the practical issues that determine whether goods move reliably, affordably and safely across Australia.”