The Issue
As the rate of change in the transport and logistics industry continues to increase both industry and government are struggling to understand and prepare for the future.  While overseas experience provides some examples Australia’s situation as a remote, sparsely populated island continent largely dependant on the export of raw material poses unique challenges for transport and logistics.  It certainly means that T&L costs are a large proportion of the costs of both domestic and international trade. 

We need to understand the future because transport and logistics has a major support and service function for our international and domestic trade, and because it is a major activity in its own right.

The objectives and targets
The future visioning process in 2006 will address questions such as

• What investment will be needed in infrastructure and people?
• What does the future structure of the industry look like? For example, will industry consolidation continue and what will the impact of that be?
• How can Australian transport and logistics best prepare and succeed in global competition?
• What major trends will emerge and how will the effect the industry eg cages for grocery retailing, factory gate pricing?

The provision of industry data and official statistics will support actions to

• Argue the case for logistics with Australian Governments
• Evaluate and improve the performance of major supply chains
• Make better operational decisions

Specific actions in 2006-07
Lead the provision of industry data collection to answer key questions regarding transport and logistics

• Define and quantify transport and logistics in Australia and it’s role in International trade
• Monitor and improve performance from the perspectives of
  
  
  • Major supply chains
  • Transport Modes and functions
  • From a geographic perspective i.e. Urban, Domestic and International logistics
    
    
• Inform detailed management decision on issue such as safety, investment, technology, innovation, security or training

Identify major emerging issues and trends and support evaluation and debate on key issues.

Related 2005 Position Statements: 5/05
Related ALIS Recommendations