Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s 2012 package of shipping laws, introduced when he was the Transport Minister in the Gillard administration, have “actually been a massive fail,” Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, told Shipping Australia’s NSW Luncheon Guests late last week.
Noting the newspaper articles that have been reporting on the effects of the Albanese laws, Senator McKenzie pointed out the absurdities that have resulted.
“As we have seen highlighted this week, the Albanese shipping laws enacted in 2012 have seen the fleet of Australian-flagged vessels shrink by more than half. As a legislative means of supporting the Australian shipping industry, this legislation has actually been a massive fail. Extraordinarily, as you read in the newspaper reports this week, it has become cheaper to ship Aussie goods overseas and back again rather then sending them directly between Australian ports,” she pointed out to our guests.
She then pointed out that if Australian industry cannot afford to ship products around Australia, then Australian workers will “ultimately” be the losers.
“By improving these critical connections we can deliver a more reliable supply chain, reduce congestion, and ultimately, lower the cost for businesses and consumers alike,” she explained, adding, “Reliable shipping means that businesses can depend upon consistent supply chains keeping costs stable and predictable, it ensures that exporters can get their goods to market without unnecessary delays, strengthening their competitiveness, and supporting our regional economies. Our commitment to the Transport Sector is clear. By improving reliability and efficiency, we can deliver tangible cost-of-living relief for families right across the nation. Every time we put the cost of transport up, we put the cost of goods up”.
She also addressed the likely forthcoming Federal election.
“Looking ahead to the 2025 election, the Coalition will advocate further for integration development of our transport infrastructure to support our freight sector and consequently our national economy,” Senator McKenzie declared.
Shipping Australia’s NSW Christmas Luncheon
Shipping Australia was privileged and honoured that last Friday, at our annual NSW Christmas Luncheon, to receive an address from Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie, who is the Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, and who is also the Nationals Senator for Victoria.
You can READ THE FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE.
About Senator McKenzie
Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie is the Senator for Victoria, and the Leader of the Nationals in the Senate. She has served on the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee, an influential Senate Standing Committee, for several years in addition to many other Committee positions, particularly on Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Senator McKenzie has held the position of Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development from June 2022. She has previously served in a range of Ministerial and Cabinet Ministerial positions from 2017 onwards, including as the Minister for Agriculture.
