CBFCA calls on Victorian government to end the illegal picket at VICT (NNF 2017/304)

As the illegal picket remains in place at the entrance to VICT terminal gates and there is no sign of any resolution we have written to the Victorian Premier's office calling for his government intervention and leadership to end this illegal picket and allow industry to facilitate trade through the Port of Melbourne.

Refer below some key messages from the CBFCA letter:

The Hon. Daniel Andrews MP
1 Treasury Place
Melbourne, Victoria
Australia, 3002

Dear Premier,

The Customs Brokers and Forwarders Council of Australia Inc. (CBFCA) is Australia’s leading peak national body, which represents members interests in international trade logistics and supply chain management service provision. We are committed to being the voice for customs brokers, international freight forwarders and other associated groups concerned with international trade, representing and supporting our members in a difficult regulatory environment.

We would like to bring to your attention our members who are International Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokerages control over 60% of the international import and export containerised freight at the Port of Melbourne and act as service providers assisting importers and exporters to facilitate trade.

The illegal ongoing picket at Victorian International Container Terminal, Webb Dock, Melbourne is significantly impacting on our members, their clients, the trading community, our economy and damaging Victoria's reputation.

The actions of the MUA at Webb Dock are not only an attack on businesses, but on the entire community. Fresh produce is rotting on the wharf, and merchandise that includes Christmas gifts for children is unable to move.

The CBFCA calls on your government to intervene and put an end to this illegal picket and allow industry to facilitate trade through the Port of Melbourne which is currently under significant competitive pressure from other Ports in Australia.

Your intervention and government leadership is urgently required to put an end to this illegal picket.

Your assistance would be much appreciated by all affected business and the entire community.

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We also encourage you as "service providers" and your affected clients as the "cargo owners" to contact the Premier’s office with your frustrations regarding the disruption this illegal activity is bringing to your business. 


Zoran Kostadinoski
Regional Manager VIC / TAS / SA