DCN April 2019 Edition

WORD FROM THE MINISTER
Helping future freight
pull greater weight
The data is in the details for the future of Australia’s freight task, which is growing
at break-neck speed, writes Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack
WHETHER YOU LIVE IN THE CITY
or the country, in a house, a high-rise or a
farm, freight supply chains affect us all.
When freight moves efficiently, we are
all winners. Fresh produce and other goods
are delivered quickly and safely, businesses
can operate and freight vehicles move
smoothly in and out of town. When our
supply chains are interrupted all of this is
at risk of falling apart.
THE FREIGHT IMPULSION
The need for an efficient and productive
freight transport system to keep
our economy moving cannot be
overemphasised. The nation’s population
is growing and the demand for freight is
growing even faster.
As cities grow, some freight corridors
and logistics facilities will pose planning
challenges unless we act now. It is
reasonable to expect governments at all
levels to be able to plan ahead to ensure we
can meet the need for both efficient freight
and liveable, residential communities. Data
plays a key role in this planning.
The Liberal and Nationals government
recognises the importance of ensuring the
freight sector is efficient and productive in
keeping Australia moving. That is why we
have been developing a National Freight
and Supply Chain Strategy with state,
territory and local governments, as well as
industry. The strategy will set an agenda for
collaborative and integrated government
action on freight and supply chains during
the next 20 years.
THE DRIVE FOR DATA
As part of the 2018 industry expert
panel-led Inquiry into National Freight
and Supply Chain Priorities, a scenario
planning project was undertaken to help
future proof the strategy. This project
involved developing four potential future
scenarios, designed around different
levels of progress of automation, among
various other factors, to assist in long term
planning for our freight sector.
Across all scenarios, it became clear
improved data sharing and use is needed if
we are to better plan for future disruptions
and maintain the performance and
competitiveness of supply chains.
NEXT STEPS
Following the inquiry, the Australian
government commissioned iMove
Cooperative Research Centre to do a
research study of the freight sector’s data
requirements to improve decision-making
and performance. The study found five key
barriers facing the freight sector which
prevent better sharing of data.
These barriers were: inadequate
protection of competition and confidential
data; excessive legal and contractual
requirements; resource-intensiveness in
terms of costs, time and human resources;
institutional weakness, in particular a lack
of governance around data; and a lack of
co-ordination and compatibility when it
comes to types of data.
In short, we need to enable the freight
sector to cut through the red tape and
technical discrepancies surrounding data.
The freight sector should be able to use
data, communicate and share data, and
protect the data which actually needs
protecting.
While the final version of the iMove
study has yet to be released, initial findings
suggest the government should develop a
national policy on freight data in Australia
– a project which is already underway –
and establish a national data office as a
trusted central co-ordination point for
hosting freight data. Conclusive findings
and recommendations of this study have
yet to be released.
THE GOVERNMENT’S TASK
The government’s role in developing the
National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy
Michael McCormack, Deputy Prime Minister
and minister for infrastructure and transport
for Australia – combined with increased
accessibility and efficient management of
freight data – is positioning the freight
sector to meet significant future growth
in the freight task. Our freight sector, its
workers and customers, will be supported
to meet increased overseas demand
for Australian resources and produce,
especially in growing Asian markets.
We will also be able to better
support increased domestic demand
from Australia’s growing population
through a unified, national approach to
freight planning. A national approach is
essential to ensure freight systems and
infrastructure work across state and
territory borders to enable the efficient
delivery of goods across Australia.
Our government understands this and is
investing in this national, evidence-based
approach right now.
I look forward to ongoing industry
engagement as we work with all involved in
the freight supply chain sector. There will
be great weight to pull in the future, but
the rewards will be even greater.
8 April 2019
thedcn.com.au