Victorian Ministers define Essential Services (NNF 2020/086)

The Customs Brokers and Forwarders Council of Australia Ltd. (CBFCA) received a letter from the Hon. Melissa Horne MP, Minister for Ports and Freight, and the Hon. Jaala Pulford MP, Minister for Roads, confirming that freight and logistics services will continue to operate under the current COVID-19 restrictions.

This includes the complete supply chain across ports, roads, rail, maritime, stevedoring, intermodal, transfer facilities, distribution, warehousing, freight yards, depots and systems. The  CBFCA can confirm this includes customs brokerages, freight forwarders and border regulatory agencies as advised in previous newsflashes.

Keeping goods moving during the COVID-19 outbreak will ensure essential services can continue to operate. To read the Ministers letter click HERE.

The Australian Transport and Infrastructure Council has also confirmed the high-priority it places on the freight and logistics sector.

The Ministers have requested Freight Victoria to continue maintaining communications with industry on actions to combat the COVID-19 outbreak and to provide an avenue to raise any issues of concern.

Freight Victoria will host a teleconference this afternoon (Monday 30 March, 2020) to identify the issues that industry are facing, provide a forum to fast-track responses and remove any roadblocks. The CBFCA will join other key industry Associations on the teleconference and be a voice for customs brokerages and freight forwarders.

The CBFCA Regional Managers are represented in their State at Ministerial level, freight and logistics councils and other consultative forums to represent our members and we will keep you informed of any developments.

During these difficult times, more than ever, government and industry need to work collaboratively to facilitate border clearance and supply chain.