TRADE and transport industry bodies have called for a focus on decarbonisation, industrial relations and data security from the re-elected Albanese government.
The Australian Labor Party comfortably won the election on May 3, increasing its majority in the House of Representatives.
The Prime Minister is still to announce the makeup of his new cabinet and ministerial portfolios.
International Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association of Australia chief executive, Scott Carson, congratulated Labor on the outcome, noting the need for “ministerial stability in the transport, infrastructure and trade portfolios”, at a time when Australia faced “unprecedented disruption in the international supply chain due to the fluid US tariff situation, a slowing global economy and the flow on effects of new shipping line alliances”.
“Increased security measures relating to air cargo movements and related data security will continue to evolve, as another area of key importance for the federal government to continue to support,” Mr Carson said.
“This is in addition to engaging with industry to ensure that these requirements are reasonable and practical for IFCBAA members to implement and maintain.”
The Maritime Union issued a statement congratulating Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the outcome and listing as priorities the implementation of the strategic fleet, “fixing” the definition of a voyage under the Coastal Trading Act and “eliminating the two award-free voyages loophole to level the playing field and all seafarers earn Australian wages on our coast”.
The union also called for visa certainty in the offshore sector and to revise Coastal Trading Act exemptions for cruise and expedition ships to provide more Australian seafarers “an opportunity to work in the domestic cruising industry”.
Shipping Australia chief executive Melwyn Noronha said they would continue to work with the government “to promote and facilitate Australia’s international maritime trade to the benefit of everyday Australians”.
“We also look forward in assisting the government in undertaking genuine industrial relations reform coupled with international benchmarking of productivity on the waterfront,” Captain Noronha said.
Chief executive of the Australian Logistics Council, Hermione Parsons, congratulated Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the ALP on their re-election and reaffirmed their commitment to working in close partnership with the returned government.
“With supply chains facing increasing pressure from global disruptions, domestic infrastructure constraints, and persistent workforce shortages, it is essential that freight policy remains front and centre in the Government’s economic and productivity agenda,” she said.
“The ALC welcomes the Albanese government’s ongoing commitments to infrastructure investment, decarbonisation and skills development.”
Dr Parsons said further policy leadership and cross-jurisdictional coordination were essential “to address persistent regulatory fragmentation and to unlock the full productivity potential of Australia’s freight network”.
“Our industry faces growing expectations to deliver faster, cleaner and more transparent freight services. Meeting these expectations requires coordinated long-term planning, regulatory reform, and accelerated investment in smart infrastructure and low-emission transport technologies,” Dr Parsons said.
She urged the Commonwealth to prioritise delivery of the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy, ensuring visibility and accountability in implementation, particularly in areas such as urban freight planning, corridor protection and better use of freight data to inform decision-making.
The ALC has listed priorities for the government including:
- Resolving critical infrastructure bottlenecks, especially in the rail freight network and intermodal connections.
- Accelerated decarbonisation of the freight task, including enabling infrastructure for zero-emission heavy vehicles, investment certainty for alternative fuels, and clear regulatory pathways to support private sector adoption.
- Embedding freight in land use and planning systems, ensuring long-term protection of freight corridors, industrial precincts and intermodal sites from encroachment, and securing access to suitable land for logistics and warehousing in strategic locations.
- Regulatory harmonisation across jurisdictions to reduce compliance costs, improve efficiency, and support technology adoption.
- Modernising workforce policy, including support for skills pipelines, safety leadership, career awareness campaigns and changes to enable a more inclusive and productive freight workforce.
Dr Parsons said the sector’s performance during the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters and global supply disruptions had highlighted its key role.
“Freight operators are on the frontline every day—supporting communities, enabling trade, and contributing to national resilience,” she said.
“We look forward to working with the Albanese government to ensure policy, regulation and investment settings enable this transition.”
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