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On 20 October 2022, the Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (Minister King), announced the appointment of a Strategic Fleet Taskforce to advise government on the creation of a maritime Strategic Fleet.
The Strategic Fleet Taskforce was chaired by John Mullen and comprised of representatives from the shipping industry, unions, private sector and Department of Defence.
The taskforce submitted its final Strategic Fleet Taskforce report to government on 30 June 2023, in accordance with the Terms of Reference.
The report explores the current maritime landscape and examines how a strategic fleet would impact Australia. It provides guidance on how to establish the fleet and overcome key challenges to attract vessel operators to take part. Overall, the taskforce provided 16 recommendations for establishing a strategic fleet.
The Australian Government Response to the Strategic Fleet Final Report outlines agreement to 12 out of the 16 recommendations and commits to further exploration of the remaining 4 recommendations. The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts is leading work to implement the Taskforce’s recommendations consistent with the Government’s response.
2022 public consultation
In late 2022, the taskforce ran a formal consultation process with a broad range of stakeholders to help inform the development of high-level strategic objectives for the fleet.
In early 2023, the taskforce extended an open invitation for stakeholders to provide proposals, options and ideas for the establishment of the strategic fleet, and how it may be best operationalised.
View the 2022 Have Your Say consultation (now closed).