Industry welcomes new ministers as CTAA outlines priorities
The Victorian government has announced its new cabinet, including an all-female transport team.
Jacinta Allan becomes Minister for Transport Infrastructure; Melissa Horne is Minister for Public Transport, and Ports and Freight; while Jaala Pulford is Minister for Roads, Road Safety and the TAC, and Fishing and Boating.
“The Andrews Labor Government is embarking on the biggest infrastructure program Victoria has ever seen,” the state government says.
“To ensure this is delivered, Jacinta Allan takes on the portfolio of Transport Infrastructure, with responsibility for projects including the Level Crossing Removal Program, North East Link, West Gate Tunnel, Metro Tunnel and Suburban Rail Loop.
“Minister Allan leads an all-female transport team with Jaala Pulford becoming the Minister for Roads, Road Safety and the TAC, and Minister for Fishing and Boating.
“New Cabinet member Melissa Horne will become Minister for Public Transport and Ports and Freight.”
Of particular interest is Horne’s appointment, who was recently communications director for the Level Crossing Removal Authority.
A first-time member of parliament, newly elected to the seat of Williamstown, she replaces Luke Donnellan – who moves to a disability, ageing and carers ministry – in the politically sensitive ports portfolio.
Donnellan’s tenure was in the midst of bringing forward a review into ports charging and regulation following the recent stevedore impost furore.
Donnellan speeds up Victorian stevedore surcharge probe. Read more, here
The Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA) welcomed Horne’s appointment, albeit with an ominous reference to “unique aspects” of the industry at present.
“Importantly, the new member for Williamstown, Melissa Horne, has been given the title of “freight” in her ministerial responsibilities … the first time that a Victorian Minister has had a direct focus on the freight industry recognised in their ministerial title,” CTAA director Neil Chambers says.
“CTAA welcomes Ms. Horne’s elevation to cabinet, and we look forward to liaising with her about the unique aspects of landside container freight logistics in Victoria and through the Port of Melbourne.”
Meanwhile, Allan moves from the public transport and employment portfolios, while Pulford was previously Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional Development.
Both the Victorian Transport Association (VTA) and Nnational Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) tweeted their congratulations to the ministers.
CTAA WISHLIST
The CTAA also extended its welcome to all new ministers with transport responsibilities, before outlining its list of priorities going forward.
“No doubt, these three ministers will need to work collaboratively as the freight industry transcends the portfolios individually,” it says.
“CTAA looks forward particularly to the new Andrews’ Government and its Ministers hitting the ground running on important issues, including:
- The promised review of stevedore infrastructure charges and other unregulated international container logistics cost imposts; and
- The implementation of numerous initiatives identified in the Victorian Freight Plan, such as:
– Continued investment in road and bridge infrastructure to accommodate higher productivity freight vehicles (HPFVs) at maximum mass limits;
– The independent collection and dissemination of key freight performance data that can underpin collaborative efforts to improve freight efficiencies and productivity;
– The reduction of regulatory “red tape” faced by the freight industry; and
– Strategies to address skills shortages and the future uptake of technologies to streamline supply chains, and make them safer and more productive.