ALC writes to Queensland parliament about freight infrastructure and road safety

The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) has written to party leaders in Queensland ahead of the 25 November state election, asking them to outline their policies on key issues such as corridor protection, congestion, the development of critical freight infrastructure and improved road safety through the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).

Letters were sent during the first week of the campaign to Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Leader of the Opposition Tim Nicholls, One Nation Leader Steve Dickson, and Katter’s Australian Party Member of Parliament Rob Katter.

“Queensland plays a vital role in sustaining Australia’s freight logistics network, and with significant growth expected in the state’s freight task over the next decade, it is crucial that Queensland’s political leaders address our industry’s priorities ahead of the state election,” said ALC Chairman Ian Murray.

“Among the most urgent of these is preserving a rail corridor that will permit the construction of an alternative dedicated freight rail connection from the Inland Rail route right through to the Port of Brisbane,” he said.

Murray has also said that the ALC has called on the next Queensland Parliament to provide certainty to the heavy vehicle industry by acting swiftly to pass HVNL and the Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016.

“This legislation contains a number of significant measures which ALC believes will improve road safety,” said Mr. Murray.

“It should be passed by the Queensland Parliament as a matter of priority following the state election.

“Queensland’s political leaders have also been asked to outline their approach on a range of other policy matters which ALC highlighted in our Queensland Freight Priorities document released in August this year.

“These include measures to reduce road congestion, and ensuring the regulation of Queensland’s freight transport infrastructure affords our industry the flexibility it needs to operate 24/7. This will be essential to meeting a freight task that is rapidly growing due to Queensland’s rising population, growing export markets and the expansion of e-commerce,” he said.