Before Christmas the State Government failed to get legislation through Parliament before the Southern Hemisphere summer holiday break, after the Bill was reported back from its committee stage with concerns about commercial transparency.
The Government and Opposition parties failed to reach agreement early in the New Year about a way forward, continuing a long-term pattern of political uncertainty.
Among groups which have urged the parties to make progress are the Victorian Chamber of Commerce, the Australian Peak Shippers’ Association and Shipping Australia. Victorian Chamber of Commerce chief executive Mark Stone said the transaction cannot be stalled any longer at the expense of Victorian business and future generations.
Shipping Australia chief executive Rod Nairn said if the Government was committed to a long-term package to compensate the incumbent operator, it was likely to restrict the development of second container port. “It would be good to have bi-partisan agreement to the format of the privatisation to avoid future conflicts and policy reversals which could have major cost implications for the State of Victoria,” he said.
Australian Peak Shippers’ Association executive director Robert Coode added that privatisation must ensure port users are not disadvantaged with higher costs.