A Shipping Policy Advisory Group has been established by the Federal Government in response to a report produced last year.
A Shipping Policy Advisory Group has been established by the Federal Government in response to a report produced last year by a bipartisan parliamentary committee formed with the aim of rebuilding Australia’s Coastal Shipping Industry.
The main purpose of the Group will focus on reviewing the committee’s recommendations and to advise Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese on the initiatives which would assist in rebuilding the coastal shipping industry.
Albanese believes the Group which is made up of various heads of major Australian transport organisations, will allow for the Australia’s shipping industry to grow in strength, long into the future.
“The diversity of the Group’s membership will help to make sure the reform agenda taken forward by the Government meets the industry’s long term priorities and needs,” he says.
Albanese says the importance of the industry to a country like Australia is a vital component for the growth and sustainability of the national economy as well as those of the states.
“Australia depends on shipping almost exclusively for the transportation of its exports and imports. At the same time, coastal shipping fulfils almost 30 per cent of the domestic transport task,” he says.
Members of the advisory group are: Colin Bailey, Bob Bird, Paddy Crumlin, Ben Fargher, Noel Hart, John Lines, Peter Manion, David Parmeter and Grant Williams.