By now most Australians have had time to digest the main points of last week’s Federal Budget. A few points were relevant to those in the sphere of international shipping.
DAWE Welcomes Funding Increase in Budget to Improve Processes
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) has welcomed the provision of $370.9 million investment in increased resources, automation and greater involvement of industry in streamlining biosecurity processes. They intend to apportion this as follows:
– $84 million will go into frontline measures to better manage the risk of pests and diseases entering Australia. This includes more on-the-ground resources to target known and emerging threats, like African swine fever (ASF), and applying modern technology to better detect and respond to these threats.
– $80.9 million will go towards building a modern, effective biosecurity screening system – updating ICT systems, technology and data analytics.
– $205.9 million will be allocated to improving the ability to detect and manage threats offshore, while strengthening partnerships with importers, companies, producers and the community.
Freight and Supply Chain Strategy InvestmentsÂ
The Government proposes to provide $16.5Â million over the forward estimates period ($10.6m this financial year) to establish a National Freight Data Hub to enhance the collection of freight data across all modes.
$12.1m over three years will also be provided to the Heavy Vehicle National Regulator to fund engineering assessments for local government owned road network infrastructure.
These investments give industry the confidence that the Government is committed to developing a system that will assist the efficient movement of freight from one end of the supply chain to the other.
$2 billion Investment in Melbourne Intermodal TerminalÂ
The Budget also provides for an investment of $61.8m for the planning and development of the Melbourne Intermodal terminal, and a commitment of ‘up to’ $2 billion for its subsequent construction.
Our industry representatives have been engaged with the Victorian Government and Port of Melbourne for some time about the increased use of rail to enable the more efficient movement of goods through Melbourne. A new intermodal terminal in Melbourne will increase efficiency and capacity of the national and Victorian freight industry. It will enable and maximise the benefits of Inland Rail by ensuring that Melbourne’s freight infrastructure has the capability to efficiently accommodate the Inland Rail service offering of double-stacked 1,800 metre trains and has the capacity to meet the increased rail freight generated by Inland Rail.
Colless Young offers you professional advice on all matters related to international shipping and clearance through Customs and quarantine. Based in Brisbane, we provide a complete range of logistics services, both air and sea cargo, through all Australian ports and airports. As licensed Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders, we handle imports, exports, trucking, warehousing and fumigation treatment.
