PANEL sessions at the Australian Logistics Council National Supply Chain Summit have examined supply chain risk and issues impacting infrastructure.
A session featuring, Ben Newton (general manager strategy at Primary Connect, Renee Holbrook (general manager at CHEP Australia) and Margaret Staib (ALC chair) discussed resilience during a time of crisis.
Ms Staib noted the need for more planning at the national level, particularly for any protracted crises.
She also spoke of the effective work of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) during the pandemic.
“I am an absolute fan of NEMA having worked with them during the pandemic,” Ms Staib said.
“However, I wonder how [we would cope with a crisis] over a protracted period of time. That is where we need to turn our minds at the national level.”
Ms Holbrook spoke of perceived and actual risk, the tendency towards “surge behaviour” in times of crisis.
She said further conversations were required regarding systematic collaboration, noting that while some positive behaviours had been retained from the pandemic era, others had been lost.
“One of my observations during the pandemic was that it was a mindset shift,” she said.
“Unfortunately, some practices should have been sustained at a national level but they haven’t.”
Ben Newton noted the need for consistency between government agencies of different levels.
A further panel addressed supply chain challenges, with National Intermodal chief executive James Baulderstone identifying the trend towards a “data revolution” and a “radical change”.
How that would be integrated into the supply chain, Mr Baulderstone said, would be “super exciting”.
The ALC Supply Chain Summit took place at Doltone House in Sydney CBD and was attended by delegates from across Australia.