Fortnightly ALC Government Relations Update No. 20 | 16 October to 29 October 2026

ALC met with The Hon David Hodgett MP to discuss supply chain logistics and freight transport industry priorities ahead of the Victorian election, and opportunities for stronger industry engagement.

The discussion covered ALC’s six election priorities, including road condition and maintenance, freight rail utilisation, protection of key freight connections, logistics land, heavy vehicle charging infrastructure, and workforce pressures.
ALC also discussed opportunities to give Coalition MPs greater exposure to freight operations and the practical issues affecting industry. This included an offer to facilitate visits to ALC member sites, including the members sites, and further briefings with members.

The engagement forms part of ALC’s broader Victorian election strategy, which is focused on ensuring all major parties understand the practical priorities of the supply chain logistics and freight transport industry and provide clear responses ahead of the election.

The Department of Infrastructure reconvened transport industry stakeholders to review current fuel market conditions and hear directly from aviation, freight, maritime and passenger transport sectors. Secretary Jim Betts said supply conditions remain orderly, with crude continuing to flow and Asian refineries exporting product, but diesel prices remain close to levels seen at the peak of the earlier crisis. The Department also noted that futures markets remain elevated, suggesting current price pressure could persist rather than unwind quickly.

For the supply chain logistics and freight transport industry, the main concern remains diesel cost.  Industry representatives reported ongoing pressure on operators, particularly smaller and medium-sized businesses, and warned that sustained high prices are flowing through to customers and the cost of living. There was broad support for restoring the Fair Work Commission fuel cost recovery order, continued consideration of road user charge relief if conditions deteriorate further, and stronger industry involvement in Level 3 and Level 4 fuel contingency planning.

ALC told the Department that members remain concerned about diesel prices and the way those costs are being passed through the supply chain. ALC supported continued government coordination and regular industry briefings, while also pointing to the need for longer-term action on storage, low-carbon liquid fuels, and fuel security. ALC also highlighted the value of bringing industry together around a clearer, more coordinated approach to the transition.

The meeting also heard strong concern from freight rail representatives about introducing any future road user charge relief without considering the competitive impact on freight rail. Industry asked the government to consider the interaction between road and freight rail measures rather than treating them separately.

The Department agreed to reconvene the group fortnightly, with further updates expected from DCCEEW and the Australian Institute of Petroleum where available.

ALC met with TMR Acting Director-General Penny Ford and Executive Director Sean Collingwood to discuss Queensland’s freight priorities and how ALC and TMR can work more closely on national and state issues affecting the supply chain logistics and freight transport industry.

The discussion covered implementation of the Queensland Freight Delivery Plan, freight rail, data, network resilience, energy transition, and infrastructure planning. TMR outlined work underway to strengthen Queensland’s freight modelling capability, including a Queensland-wide freight modelling program and a new data partnership approach with industry, government agencies, Queensland Rail and port authorities. ALC offered to support this work through member engagement and by sharing lessons from previous freight data and port supply chain studies.

Freight rail was a major focus. ALC reinforced the need to maintain an effective freight rail connection between Queensland and the southern states following the Inland Rail reset. TMR advised that work is continuing on existing network opportunities, including the dual-gauge connection to the Port of Brisbane, broader network capacity and reliability, and future planning around Toowoomba, Ebenezer and other intermodal options.

ALC also provided an update on the ALC + Government Dialogue, the refreshed national Freight Industry Reference Panel, recent fuel security engagement and plans for the February 2027 ALC Council meeting in Brisbane. TMR indicated strong interest in continuing engagement with ALC and supporting connections across relevant parts of the Queensland Government.

ALC was nominated to join the Industry Skills Australia Transport & Logistics Strategic Workforce Planning Committee and participated in the Committee meeting in Sydney, alongside representatives from industry, government, unions, regulators and major operators. 

The meeting focused on workforce planning for 2027, proposed transport and logistics activities for November 2026, the National Heavy Vehicle Driver Action Plan and priorities for ISA’s future program of work. 

Discussion also covered the Transport Supply Chain Dashboard, qualifications, careers information and the Department of Infrastructure’s Freight and Supply Chain Strategy consultation. ALC’s participation gives the supply chain logistics and freight transport industry a direct voice in shaping future workforce priorities.