Lobby group says the veteran MP understands the issues facing the freight logistics sector
September 17, 2013
Lobby group the Australian Logistics Council (ALC) has welcomed the appointment of federal Nationals Leader Warren Truss to the infrastructure portfolio.
ALC Managing Director Michael Kilgariff says Truss, who was named infrastructure minister yesterday, has a good understanding of the issues facing the freight logistics industry.
Kilgariff says Truss’s previous ministerial experience, which included transport, means he is well equipped to implement the Coalition’s infrastructure and transport policies.
“This includes strengthening the role of Infrastructure Australia and providing it with the resources to ensure it can facilitate greater private sector investment in our critical logistics infrastructure,” he says.
“ALC also looks forward to the Government placing a greater emphasis on ensuring infrastructure projects are subject to rigorous cost benefit analysis to ensure they meet robust economic principles.”
Kilgariff says the ALC is also looking to Truss and his assistant, Jamie Briggs, to ensure national regulators for the heavy vehicle, rail and maritime sectors reap full economic benefits.
“While the three national regulators have been established, there is still much work to be done to ensure Australians enjoy the full benefits of the Heavy Vehicle National Law, which will require strong national leadership and cooperation from state and territory governments,” he says.
Kilgariff is hopeful Truss’s rural roots will ensure there is a strong focus on improving transport links between cities and non-metropolitan Australia.
“In addition, ALC looks forward to Mr Truss’s support on the critical issue of improving access for heavy vehicles in rural areas which can often be frustrated by local councils due to insufficient expertise and resources,” he says.
Kilgariff also used Truss’s appointment to praise Anthony Albanese, who held the infrastructure and transport portfolio for six years.
Albanese oversaw multi-billion dollar investments in transport infrastructure and the first-ever federal investment in heavy vehicle rest areas, the establishment of national regulators and the creation of advisory body Infrastructure Australia and the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal.
“ALC also wishes to pay particular tribute to the substantial work of former infrastructure and transport minister Anthony Albanese,” Kilgariff says.
“Mr Albanese created a genuine partnership with industry in establishing Infrastructure Australia and creating Australia’s first national transport regulators and we look forward to him continuing that focus on industry partnerships in whatever future Opposition role he takes on.”
