Ports Australia policy overhaul

The three-pronged policy was adopted ahead of Australia’s federal election to highlight the importance of ports to the nation’s future, with 98% of its trade moving along the “blue highway” and trade worth A$1.2bn crossing the docks every day.

“Any policy that increases or inhibits the ability of ports to operate efficiently and for the country to connect to the ports has a direct impact on business and Australians through the economy,” Ports Australia said.

Its policy platform is therefore focused on exploiting the blue highway’s potential, connecting ports and making them able to operate more efficiently and ensuring Australia has a skilled port and maritime workforce to handle the sector’s needs into the future.

Ports Australia noted that the pool of people with the skills required to run a port is shrinking: “Over 60% of people in the industry are over 45 while the number aged under 30 is reducing. Ports around the country, particularly regional ports, are struggling to recruit adequately-skilled people for specific roles.”