Tick tock: The deadline for a new port access scheme for bulk wheat export is fast approaching

In Australia, 70 to 80 per cent of wheat produced annually is exported overseas ¹, and it is estimated that port costs account for one third of supply chain costs ². Currently, there are four port terminal access operators which are vertically integrated in the industry ³ and as a consequence, they must pass an "access test" in order to export wheat. Criticism of the current access arrangement for ports has centered around transparency ⁴ and increasing costs associated with port services. ⁵

On 3 June 2014, the Federal Government called for submissions in relation to the Exposure Draft of the Competition and Consumer (Industry Code – Port Terminal Access (Bulk Wheat))Regulation 2014 (Draft Code) and the related Regulation Impact Statement.