Inquiry into National Freight and Supply Chain Priorities

On 18 May 2018, the Hon Michael McCormack MP, then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, released the report of the Inquiry into National Freight and Supply Chain Priorities. The Inquiry was conducted by a four member expert panel to inform the development of a National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy through the COAG Transport and Infrastructure Council.

Drawing on 127 submissions and one-on-one meetings with over 200 individuals from 28 peak industry bodies and 90 businesses, the Expert Panel recommended 54 priorities for action across five critical action areas and concluded that strong support exists within industry for an overarching national strategy. The Inquiry examined import-export supply chains, inter/intra state supply chains, urban supply chains and supply chain integration, which included resource and agricultural freight and regional and remote freight.

The expert panel was assisted by six supporting papers and a suite of independent research commissioned by the department.

The Inquiry report highlights that freight is essential to Australia's continued well-being and national prosperity and urges a national approach by all tiers of government and industry to address the proposed priorities.

The former Minister for Infrastructure and Transport released Terms of Reference PDF: 219 KB and appointed the Expert Panel in March 2017 to lead the Inquiry with support from the department and Infrastructure Australia.

A discussion paper PDF: 558 KB for the Inquiry was released on 26 May 2017 marking the commencement of the public consultation period. Comments on the discussion paper closed on 28 July 2017 with 127 submissions received.

The Inquiry informed the development of the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy, endorsed by the COAG Transport and Infrastructure Council. More information on the Strategy is available at www.freightaustralia.gov.au.

Key documents