Dr Marjorie O’Neill, the NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and the member of the NSW Legislative Assembly for Coogee, told Shipping Australia guests at our luncheon this week that the NSW government is working on reforms to address long-term efficiency while tackling “very pressing” issues.
“The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted global fuel supply and driven up prices, and that’s being felt here in NSW,” Dr O’Neill told guests, adding that the government acknowledges the contribution of the freight industry during this period of disruption.
Dr O’Neill discussed the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy, noting that round two of the consultation was due to start earlier this year but that is now on hold for up to 12 months as stakeholders grapple with supply shocks.
She also discussed the proposed changes to the Ports and Maritime Administration Regulation, which will complete implementation of the new statutory licensing framework for towages, lines handling and some bunkering providers, will replace the existing towage licences issued by the Ports Authority of NSW, and will introduce licensing for lines handling and bunkering.
It will also enable the provision of vessel environmental performance information to port operators to support effective management of environmental performance and risk mitigation strategies in ports. She added that the regulation will also complete the implementation of improvements to ship manifest information and data formats used to support information provision and efficient data sharing between industry and government.
Landside charges
Dr O’Neill also discussed the output from the meeting of the Infrastructure and Transport Minister in August 2025, which endorsed the National Transport Commission to update the National Voluntary Guidelines for stevedore landside charges, including a requirement for price changes to be made annually. She added that the National Transport Commission will work with jurisdictions to include empty container park operators in the guidelines with similar requirements to container stevedores.
“These changes will improve transparency of landside pricing and charging behaviour, helping to maximise freight productivity and improve the efficiency of Australia’s container freight supply chains,” she told Shipping Australia guests. Ministers also agreed to establish a working group to explore options and recommend next steps in response to findings by the ACCC and the Productivity Commission in respect of stevedore charges.
Freight policy
Dr O’Neill told Shipping Australia guests that a comprehensive Freight Policy Reform Programme is underway to modernise outdated freight settings and to ensure the system can meeting future demand.
“The Reform considers the network – including ports, rail, road and intermodal terminals – as one coordinated supply chain with shared responsibility across the NSW Government, the Australian Government and industry. It recognises the need to ensure efficient landside connections to ports to support the productivity of NSW’s gateways,” she said, adding that Port Botany will play a central role in container movements until the port reaches capacity. However, she added, the reforms recognise the need for diversity and competitiveness more broadly.
Land-use policy is also an issue with Sydney having the “tightest vacancy rate of serviced industrial land of any city globally at 0.2 per cent”, she told guests adding that the shortage of land is causing major freight and logistics operators to leave Sydney for areas where suitable land is more available and less expensive. The lack of land is impacting State productivity, she said.
There are eight actions underway relating to ports except for the policy position on the second container port, “which is complete,” and the action for stevedores to consider simplifying pricing.
“There is a lot going on, and we are here to work with you to reform port, freight transport, and the planning system [in a way] that boosts productivity and growth,” she concluded.
About the event
Shipping Australia held the event at the NSW Parliament House on 19 May 2026. The lunch was led by industry executive Mario Fernando who is the NSW State Committee’s Co-Chair, who made the Acknowledgement of Country and who also acknowledged the special guests. The Rev. Un Tay of the Mission to Seafarers led guests in the maritime grace. Shipping Australia Chair, Phillip Holmes, thanked the Minister for her time and contribution, and thanked our sponsors. He also advised guests that our event was intended to be held on the International Day for Women in Maritime on 18 May 2026, however, the venue was not available at the time. Mr Holmes acknowledged the International Day and the contribution of women in the maritime industry. The Lucky Door Prize raffle winners were selected randomly from a bowl by Brenard Van Der Poll of Boluda Towage, one of our event sponsors.
A thank you to our sponsors!
The NSW Shipping Australia State Committee Parliamentary Luncheon simply could not take place without the support of our generous sponsors.
Shipping Australia would like acknowledge the support of:
Boluda Towage – a leading provider of port and offshore towage services
OneStop – the provider of software solutions that simplify supply chain workflows to enhance productivity and keep the business of delivery moving.
The MCC Group – an Australian group of companies that provides a wide range of services including marine surveying, general assistance, biosecurity, and vessel loading services to the maritime industry.
Thank you very much, we do appreciate all your support!
