Parliamentary inquiry into Australian shipping practices and costs

Dear Members,

One of the many activities which the CBFCA undertakes on behalf of members is engaging with State and Federal Parliamentary Inquiries which have an impact on our industry and its regulation in the hope of improving the position of its members and the conduct of industry.  This work includes consulting with members, drafting submissions, appearing before Hearings of the Inquiries to give evidence and otherwise working with members of Government and its agencies to secure positive outcomes.
 
On 5 December 2018, the Senate moved the referral of a new Inquiry to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for report by 13 August 2019 which will affect members and industry
 
The topic of the Inquiry is “The policy, regulatory, taxation, administrative and funding priorities for Australian shipping” and the terms of reference include
 
      a. new investment in Australian ships and building a maritime cluster in Australia;
      b. the establishment of an efficient and commercially-oriented coastal ship licensing system and foreign crew visa system;
      c. the interaction with other modes of freight transport, non-freight shipping and government shipping;
      d. maritime security, including fuel security and foreign ship and crew standards;
      e. environmental sustainability;
      f.  workforce development and the seafarer training system;
      g. port infrastructure, port services and port fees and charges; and
      h. any related matters.
 
You can read the details of the Inquiry HERE 
 
There are clearly a number of matters which could be considered by the Inquiry as being of interest to members and industry including the movement of sea freight through the supply chain and the regulation of stevedores and their infrastructure charges.
 
The CBFCA will be working with Andrew Hudson of Rigby Cooke Lawyers to prepare a submission to the Inquiry and to otherwise engage in the progress of the Inquiry.
 
The CBFCA welcomes the views of members and other interested parties to be included in drafting a submission and would request for these to be sent by email to both
Scott Carson at the CBFCA and Andrew Hudson  at Rigby Cooke lawyers, by 31 January 2019 latest.
 
Commercial Manager