CATHERINE KING & CAROL BROWN – MEDIA RELEASE – THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A GOVERNMENT NEGLECTS SUPPLY CHAINS – THURSDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 2022

The supply chain crisis gripping Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory is a crystal-clear example of why Australia needs a government that will take our national freight task seriously and invest in resilient and sustainable supply chains.

Right now, communities in South Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia are being left without essential supplies because two train lines and a highway have been damaged by flood waters.

In 2022, Australia’s supply chains should not be this insecure. 

If Australia had a national strategic fleet, and if we had a Government which supported and grew Australian shipping, many communities would not be in such a mess.

As part of Labor’s plan to secure Australia’s supply chains, Labor will build Australia’s Strategic Fleet, helping ensure that essential household items, food and fuel would continue to be delivered to different parts of Australia, regardless of flood or fire. A strategic fleet will also allow shipping to play a significant role in our freight task, alongside road and rail.

For nine long years, the Morrison-Joyce Government has neglected Australia’s critical freight routes, refused to listen experts on climate and natural disaster mitigation and presided over the decline of Australian shipping.

Yet again, Australians are paying the price for this Government’s incompetence and inaction through shortages in food and other essential products. 

While Labor supports the Government’s decision this week to issue a temporary exemption to the provisions of the Coastal Trading Act to allow foreign-flagged ships to operate domestic freight voyages to and from Western Australia, the Morrison-Joyce Government must provide assurances that workers will have access to Australian award wages and conditions. 

Only an Albanese Labor Government will recognise the importance of essential workers, invest in our national economic sovereignty, and ensure we plan for a better future.

THURSDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 2022