Regardless of the party that forms the next federal government, the ALC says the move to national regulations must continue
August 24, 2010
Regardless of the party that forms the next federal government, the Australian Logistics Council says reforms to the transport industry must continue.
Work is currently underway by the Council of Australian Governments to end regulatory inconsistencies in the trucking, rail and shipping industries.
ALC CEO Michael Kilgariff says there are already signs prior to the election that reforms were in danger of stalling if they did not receive strong national leadership.
Labor, which began and the move to national regulations, and the Coalition have committed to the process.
The ALC has also called for ongoing support for Infrastructure Australia as it develops a national ports strategy and a national freight network plan.
“The National Freight Network Plan should set the agenda in much the same way the Button Car Plan mapped out the future for the Australian motor vehicle industry and the Wallis Report drove reform of the Australian financial system,” Kilgariff says.
The ALC sees a vital role in reform for the federal government because it wants a national agency to look after the planning and management of ports and freight movement.
“ALC supports a national partnership agreement to be developed between all governments on nationally significant infrastructure, including intermodal terminals or inland ports. This will require national leadership,” Kilgariff says.
“COAG also needs to continue with capital city strategic planning systems to take into account issues such as transport corridor, international gateways, intermodal connections; and reservation of appropriate lands to support future expansion.”
Neither major party managed to achieve a majority of 76 seats in the House of Representatives following the August 21 election.
Labor and the Coalition have begun holding talks with independents and the Greens to form a minority government.
The final election result is not yet known, with counting in seats such as Brisbane and Hasluck continuing.