❓ Hon Steve Martin asks about concrete steps taken by the WA Government since 2022 to address key areas examined by the Shipping and Supply Chain Taskforce. The government established a Shipping Policy Unit in January 2024.

I refer to the State Government's Shipping and Supply Chain Taskforce announced on 5 March 2022, and I ask:(a) Since 2022, what concrete steps have been taken by the State Government to address each of the following key areas examined in the taskforce process:(i) the role intrastate and interstate shipping can play as an ancillary route for freight movements in the event of natural disasters and disruptions to other supply chains;(ii) potential support for a national approach to the agile use of interstate shipping to strengthen critical supply chains;(iii) the sustainability and resilience of WA's on-water maritime labour force, including any emerging skill gaps, training requirements or critical worker shortages;(iv) opportunities to develop multi-modal responsiveness towards disruptions in vital WA freight supply chains; and(v) opportunities to improve supply chain co-ordination and service quality at WA ports? I refer to the State Government's Shipping and Supply Chain Taskforce announced on 5 March 2022, and I ask: (a) Since 2022, what concrete steps have been taken by the State Government to address each of the following key areas examined in the taskforce process: (i) the role intrastate and interstate shipping can play as an ancillary route for freight movements in the event of natural disasters and disruptions to other supply chains; (ii) potential support for a national approach to the agile use of interstate shipping to strengthen critical supply chains; (iii) the sustainability and resilience of WA's on-water maritime labour force, including any emerging skill gaps, training requirements or critical worker shortages; (iv) opportunities to develop multi-modal responsiveness towards disruptions in vital WA freight supply chains; and (v) opportunities to improve supply chain co-ordination and service quality at WA ports?

(a) In response to the recommendations of the WA Shipping and Supply Chain Taskforce, in January 2024 the WA Government established the Shipping Policy Unit within the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure. The Shipping Policy Unit is progressing policy objectives aligned to the recommendations of the Taskforce including: