A 25% boost has been injected into the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme, it was announced earlier this week. Tassie businesses will now receive more financial help from Canberra of up to AUD$1,070 per TEU under the scheme’s domestic component.
Goods being shipped from Tassie to the rest of the world via trans-shipment at a mainland port will receive a boosted flat rate of AUD$875 per TEU; the same rate will apply to international goods being imported to the Apple Isle via a mainland port.
“The scheme recognises Tasmania’s reliance on shipping across the Bass Strait, and supports Tasmanian shippers to move a range of non-bulk goods by sea, including those used in manufacturing, mining, agriculture, forestry, fishing and other significant local industries,” reads a media statement from the office of the Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
“We can’t build a bridge between Tasmania and the mainland, so this scheme is our way to ensure Tassie industries are just as competitive as their mainland partners and can export their products to the rest of the world… This additional $95 million investment will mean more Tassie timber building homes in Sydney, more fish on plates in Melbourne and more metals and resources crossing the Strait, without Tassie business being financially penalised by distance,” Minister King said in a statement.
