Shipping Australia gave evidence to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into Australia’s Maritime Logistics systems last Friday.
Shipping Australia CEO, Capt. Melwyn Noronha, delivered an impassioned speech urging the Productivity Commission to change course on a variety of matters flagged in its draft report.
Specifically, at the hearing, we urged that there be regulation, governance and oversight of the container port sector; that shipping lines should not be forced to pay Terminal Access Charges as these are rightfully currently charged to the land transport industry; that Part X not be repealed until a block exemption is given; that there be no interference with international shipping law through extending Australian contract law matters to the global regime; and that matters relating to container free time and ongoing container hire should remain as they are.
Shipping Australia believes that altering law and practice in these areas would be detrimental to Australian well-being as a whole.
We have made substantial submissions to the Productivity Commission including a large, initial, submission, two supplementary submissions, a major speech at the hearing, along with questions and answers.
The Productivity Commission will produce a transcript of the recordings in due course. In the interim, Capt. Noronha’s speech can be read here.
A final report is due to be handed to government at some point before the end of December this year and it is envisaged that a final report will be released at some point in 2023.
