Bolstering supply chain resilience and shipping capability to WA

• Re-elected Cook Labor Government to establish $5 million Supply Chain Resilience Fund
• Fund will support initiatives that help build WA’s supply chain and shipping capability
• Will enable WA Government and industry to access shipping during emergencies

A re-elected WA Labor Government will establish a $5 million Supply Chain Resilience Fund, to support initiatives that help build WA’s supply chain and shipping capability.

The fund will be particularly important during emergencies, like cyclones and flooding events, by enabling the WA Government and industry to access shipping.

This will help ensure communities affected by natural disasters aren’t cut off from essential supplies and industry can continue to operate.

It will also support the maritime workforce by helping to grow the number of Australian qualified seafarers through better training and growth opportunities, and build on the work of the Shipping Policy Unit with the Department of Transport.

The fund will complement the Commonwealth Government’s $22 million Australian Strategic Fleet pilot, which will see the procurement of three vessels for use during times of need such as natural disasters or conflict and for training to boost Australia’s maritime workforce.

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

“Western Australia is prone to natural disasters like floods and cyclones, particularly in the north of our State, and what they’ve taught us is our supply chains can be vulnerable by road and rail during an emergency."

“That’s why a re-elected WA Labor Government that I lead will invest $5 million towards establishing a Supply Chain Resilience Fund, to provide better access to shipping during times of need and ensure affected communities aren’t cut off from essential supplies."

“Shipping provides more options for industry to move their goods efficiently, and investment in WA shipping and WA seafarers is critical for the WA community and economy, particularly during times of supply chain disruption."

“The Fund will also support local jobs and our efforts to continue diversifying our economy, by providing better training for our maritime workforce and helping to boost the number of Australian qualified seafarers.”