The Victorian Freight and Logistics Council has been replaced with a new freight and logistics government advisory body
By Anna Game-Lopata | June 12, 2012
The Victorian Freight and Logistics Council (VFLC) has been replaced with a new freight and logistics government advisory body.
The new Ministerial Freight Advisory Council (MFAC) will comprise industry leaders as did its predecessor, but members, drawn from freight and logistics companies and bodies will be far fewer.
A spokesperson for Victorian Minister for Ports Denis Napthine tells SupplyChain Review the new body will enable more efficient and frequent engagement with the government than before.
While MFAC will be chaired by the current VFLC John Begley, veteran Chief Executive Rose Elphick has been dumped to make way for the Department of Transport to take on
the new body’s
secretariat function.
Rose Elphick, who
would not comment directly on the establishment of MFAC or the disbandment of the VFLC, was prepared to say she believes meaningful engagement between industry and government on freight and logistics issues is more important then the mechanism by which it is achieved.
The new body, which will established July 1 was announced jointly last Friday by Dennis Napthine and Roads Minister Terry Mulder.
It will have direct liaison responsibilities to the Office of the Minister for Ports and Minister for Roads.
Minister for Ports Denis Napthine says in a statement MFAC will provide an important link between Government and industry.
“This development will provide opportunities for Government to work closely with industry on initiatives for improving the efficiency and productivity of Victoria’s freight and logistics sector,” Napthine says.
“The role of the MFAC is to inform government of trends, issues and innovations within the freight and logistics sector,” Minister Mulder adds.
“This is an important role and provides government with a mechanism for communicating with industry and addressing issues. We will also look to MFAC for the expert advice it can offer across a range of businesses within the freight and logistics sector.”
The membership of the MFAC will be announced prior to its commencement.
Suggested organisations include the Victorian Transport Association, Victorian Farmers Federation, Shipping Australia Limited and the Municipal Association of Victoria.