INFRASTRUCTURE and transport minister Catherine King says a modern rail freight network is vital for Australia to be connected and productive.
Ms King spoke at a parliamentary breakfast held in Canberra (4 September) organised by the Australasian Railway Association.
Others attending included Australian Logistics Council chief executive Hermione Parsons, Jade Hooper from the Australian Rail Track Corporation, Port of Brisbane chief executive Neil Stephens, Pacific National chief executive Brett Grehan and Linfox chief executive Mark Mazurek and Caroline Wilkie from the Australasian Railway Association.
Ms King spoke about the updated National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy and how rail could play an important role.
“[Rail’s] importance is only going to increase as our economy decarbonises, our regions develop, and our population grows,” she said.
“We anticipate a significant increase in freight volumes over the coming years. With the national freight task projected to grow 26 per cent between 2020 and 2050.
“But we also face challenges that demand greater resilience and efficiency in our supply chains.”
Ms King said National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy was developed collaboratively by all jurisdictions and with industry, providing “a clear, coordinated approach across all types of freight – including rail freight”.
“Because we know that freight doesn’t exist on one mode, but is instead an interconnected system of ports, rail, intermodals, highways and airports,” she said.
“Moving freight by rail is already significantly more fuel-efficient than road, and it can deliver immediate and substantial emissions reductions.”
Ms King said they would work with industry to support the transition to net-zero, including conducting vital safety research into battery and zero-emission technologies.
“This is not just an environmental imperative; it is an economic opportunity to modernise our fleet and become a leader in sustainable transport,” she said.
She also spoke of the importance of data with the National Freight Data Hub being part of their larger strategy.