Farmers welcome prospect of international shipping service

Tasmanian farmers today welcomed a State Liberal Party initiative that, if elected to government next year, it would underwrite a direct international shipping service for Tasmanian exporters.

The State Opposition confirmed the initiative today, promising $11 million a year for three years to work with Tasmanian business to re-establish a direct link to key Asian ports.

“We have to bypass Australian ports with our exports, especially Melbourne,” Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association chief executive Jan Davis said today.

“It is now legend that we usually pay more to ship to Melbourne than the next step of the voyage to Asia. Part of that is due to the $74 million annual licence fee that the Victorian Government has imposed on the Port of Melbourne – and we pay $10 million of that bill. Cut out Melbourne and we cut out that $10 million,” she said.

Farm exports represent 30 per cent of the state’s exports. Most Tasmanian agricultural produce is sold interstate and overseas. More than $500 million worth is shipped overseas and more than $1.5 billion is shipped interstate.

“Double handling is the other killer in Melbourne,” Ms Davis said.

“If we are to realise the true potential of what we can produce here, we have to avoid this double handling before it gets to its final destination.”

Ms Davis said farmers would like to see a similar response from the Giddings Government.
Jan Davis TFGA Chief Executive http://www.tfga.com.au/