Logistics Council welcomes new infrastructure minister

Warren Truss’s appointment as Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development has been welcomed by the Australian Logistics Council (ALC).

“Warren Truss is an experienced and knowledgeable minister who has a very good understanding of the issues facing the freight logistics industry,” said ALC Managing Director Michael Kilgariff.

“ALC welcomes his appointment and looks forward to working with him on behalf of Australia’s freight logistics industry to improve supply chain efficiency.”

According to the ALC, the industry generates around 14.5% of Australia’s GDP and provides more than 1 million jobs in 165,000 companies. An increase of 1.5% in supply chain efficiency will deliver a $1.5 billion benefit to the economy, the ALC says.

“Mr Truss’s previous ministerial experience, including in the transport portfolio, means he is well equipped to move swiftly on implementing the Coalition’s infrastructure and transport policies, many of which ALC supports,” Kilgariff continued.

“This includes strengthening the role of Infrastructure Australia and providing it with the resources to ensure it can facilitate greater private sector investment in our critical logistics infrastructure. ALC highlighted this issue as a priority action item in its election priorities publication Time To Deliver.

“ALC also looks forward to the government placing a greater emphasis on ensuring infrastructure projects are subject to rigorous cost-benefit analysis to ensure they meet robust economic principles.”

Kilgariff also welcomed the appointment of Jamie Briggs as Assistant Minister, Infrastructure and Regional Development, saying the ALC looks to Truss and Briggs to provide ongoing leadership to ensure the full economic benefits from the establishment of national regulators for rail safety, maritime safety and heavy vehicles are realised.

“While the three national regulators have been established, there is still much work to be done to ensure Australians enjoy the full benefits of the Heavy Vehicle National Law, which will require strong national leadership and cooperation from state and territory governments.”

Truss’s knowledge of rural Australia will help ensure a strong focus on improving transport links between cities and non-metropolitan Australia, Kilgariff said.

Kilgariff also paid tribute to the work of former Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese.

“Mr Albanese created a genuine partnership with industry in establishing Infrastructure Australia and creating Australia’s first national transport regulators and we look forward to him continuing that focus on industry partnerships in whatever future Opposition role he takes on.”