Freight Strategy Industry Reference Panel Unveiled

Industry figures appointed to new panel charged with providing feedback and advice on progress

The Federal Department of Infrastructure and Transport has announced membership of a Reference Panel to provide industry with a clear line of sight on implementation of the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy.

The strategy, published in 2019, was agreed to by governments with extensive input from the transport industry, is a national framework that is designed to position Australia to meet its growing freight needs. It’s estimated Australia’s domestic freight task will grow by 26 per cent between 2020 and 2050 – creating unique supply chain challenges.

It is currently undergoing a review, originally planned 2024, to ensure the strategy remains fit-for-purpose in the current environment.

The new Freight Industry Reference Panel has been established to provide independent feedback and advice on annual progress and acts as a lever to elicit more actions from all levels of government and industry more broadly. The Reference Panel is not a decision-making body.

Members of the panel were selected to ensure a mix of experience across freight and supply chains, as well as reflect geographical spread. They include:

• John Fullerton (Chair): Former Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC).
• Nicole Lockwood: Chair of Infrastructure WA and Deputy Chair of the Green Building Council of Australia.
• Sophie Finemore: Formerly Senior Manager of Government Relations at Toll and Principal Economist for the Australian Automobile Association and currently Director for Government and Regulatory Affairs at KPMG.
• Michael Byrne: Former Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Toll Group Holdings, Chief Executive Officer of Coates Hire, Linfox and Westgate Holdings, and Non-Executive Director of Australia Post; and currently a Director of Ausgrid, NSW Ports and Peel Ports UK.
• Heather Bone (pictured above): Director of ESG for Team Global Express and Chair of the Australian Logistics Council’s Sustainability Committee.