In March 2022, the WA Government announced the formation of a Shipping and Supply Chain Taskforce to examine the state's shipping industry and supply chains that link Western Australia with the east coast and international customers.
Recent global and national events have sharpened the focus on supply chain risks and responsiveness. This is a critical issue for WA due to its relative isolation from eastern states and international trading partners.
The taskforce has been co-chaired by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Ports Jessica Stojkovski MLA, and the Hon. Kyle McGinn, MLC, Mining and Pastoral Region.
Scope
The main focus of the Shipping and Supply Chain Taskforce is to examine the state's shipping industry and supply chains that link Western Australia with the east coast and international customers.
The taskforce has examined:
- The potential for domestic long-distance freight to be carried by coastal shipping between WA and eastern states.
- Co-operation in the development of a national strategic shipping fleet
- The development of local WA training facilities and maritime career pathways.
- Opportunities to develop multi-modal responsiveness to supply chain disruption, including freight on interstate routes and also to remote WA regions.
- Opportunities to improve supply chain co-ordination and service quality at WA ports.
The Commonwealth Government has also instigated A Strategic Fleet Taskforce and a review of road and rail supply chain resilience. The WA Shipping and Supply Chain Taskforce is working closely with Commonwealth initiatives in this space.
Progress
In April 2022, the Shipping and Supply Chain Taskforce requested submissions from industry and relevant state and national agencies on subjects within the scope. The Taskforce also welcomed submissions from organisations and private individuals.
All submissions were made to shippingtaskforce@transport.wa.gov.au.
The Taskforce, chaired by MPs Jessica Stojkovski and Kyle McGinn, prepared a discussion paper, summarising the issues and opportunities raised in submissions and various meetings and consultations held throughout 2022.
The discussion paper is presented here (please see below) for your information.
The Taskforce held further meetings throughout February 2023, including a wide-ranging forum ahead of the preparation of a report to the Government.
The report of the Taskforce was recently presented to the Government for consideration and is now available for comment. Any comments should be made via email to shippingtaskforce@transport.wa.gov.au.
Next steps
The Government is actively considering the findings and recommendations of the report.
In view of the ongoing importance of the issues addressed, a Shipping Policy unit is being created within the Department of Transport to strengthen the WA Government’s industry support resources.
The Taskforce will continue its work into 2024 under its co-chairs, now including Ms Divina D’Anna MLA, Member for Kimberley, in recognition of the importance of shipping and supply chain resilience to remote WA.
Further activities of the Taskforce will be announced shortly.
Hon David Michael MLA
Minister for Ports; Local Government; Road Safety; Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport
