Assistant Road Safety and Freight Transport Minister Scott Buchholz has welcomed the Prime Ministers announcement of a National COVID-19 Coordination Commission (NCCC).
According to Mr. Buchholz, the commission will work to anticipate and mitigate the economic and social effects of the global coronavirus pandemic, and work with ministers and industry to resolve all non-health aspects of the response.
Welcoming the appointment of Neville Power as Chairman, Mr Buchholz said Mr. Power had the expertise, commitment and high-level understanding required to assist in these challenging times.
“I welcome his appointment and look forward to working him on matters relating to our freight and transport sector, the entire supply chain and ensuring we’re supporting our truckies – especially at this tough time – to get the job done,” Mr. Buchholz said.
Mr Buchholz said all levels of government need to work together with regulators and industry bodies to ensure all border closures announced by state and territory governments, and any other issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, permit the free and uninterrupted movement of freight.
“Our road freighters are the critical link in the supply chain that has been successfully moving supplies from ports, from farms and factory’s – that means food, medicines, fuels and supplies that we rely on heavily each and every single day,” he said.
Mr. Buchholz said uniformity was at the centre of all discussions, with the sector needed to deliver essential supplies around the nation, “because without trucks, Australia stops.”
“Our focus remains around obtaining uniformity at each of the states’ borders, and I’ll be ensuring the Covid-19 Commission is aware of the importance of and need to support the transport sector,” he said.
“I am in regular contact with the industry bodies, seeking their feedback and listening to what is happening on the ground, so we can act proportionately and quickly.”
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