“The Productivity Commission report into Australia’s Maritime Logistics System is a rigorous examination of the operations of Australia’s ports. With its potential to deliver benefits right across the Australian community it is crucial that the Federal Government responds to the Report’s recommendations with measures to lift the productivity of our ports,” Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association Ai Group, said today.
“The Commission’s report finds that inefficiencies at our container ports directly cost the economy around $600 million a year. More modern, efficient, and competitive ports are a component in improving the performance of the economy so it can better support higher incomes and living standards.
“As Ai Group has long argued, the Commission has found workplace arrangements in Australia’s container ports constrain the efficient operation of those ports. Excessive disruptions during recent enterprise agreement bargaining imposed large costs and restrictive terms in enterprise agreements that prevent the introduction of improvements in port operations.
“A lack of competition in some parts of the maritime logistics system also raises costs for businesses and consumers. Ai Group supports the Productivity Commission recommendation to repeal Part X of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, which will bring shipping line services in line with other competition laws in Australia.
“Ai Group is keen to work with the Government as it considers the detail of the Productivity Commission report and we will consult closely with our members to provide constructive input to help inform the Government’s response,” Mr Willox said.
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