Review of port competition and regulation
The Council of Australian Governments at its 10 February 2006 meeting decided that each jurisdiction will 'review the regulation of ports and port authority handling and storage facility operations at significant ports... to ensure they are consistent with the (agreed) principles'.
The broad objectives of the review were to ensure that:
- Significant ports in Queensland are managed efficiently and, where appropriate, allow for competition in the provision of port and related infrastructure facility services.
- Significant ports in Queensland maximise the opportunity for competition in up-stream and downstream markets, and do not misuse market power.
- Economic regulation is only introduced if there is a clear need, and only if these objectives cannot be achieved without regulation.
A discussion paper and an addendum to the discussion paper were prepared which presented significant issues for which comments were requested. The discussion paper and addendum were released by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (then Queensland Transport) for public consultation in September 2007. A total of 13 submissions were received from:
- Asciano Limited (PDF, 71 KB)
- BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance
- Central Queensland Ports Authority (PDF, 206 KB)
- Mackay Port Authority (PDF, 41 KB)
- Maritime Union of Australia (PDF, 108 KB)
- National Bulk Commodities Group Inc (PDF, 64 KB)
- Port of Brisbane Corporation Limited (PDF, 237 KB)
- Ports Corporation of Queensland Limited (PDF, 41 KB)
- QR Limited (PDF, 154 KB)
- Queensland Competition Authority (PDF, 67 KB)
- Queensland Resources Council (PDF, 116 KB)
- Shipping Australia Limited (PDF, 460 KB)
- Westfarmers Coal
The final report was reviewed by an external consultant from Clayton Utz in Melbourne specialising in areas including competition law, trade practices, national competition policy, and regulatory affairs.
Download the complete documents:
The Council of Australian Governments is continuing to review the reports of each state and will consider any further action in conjunction with the National Ports Strategy currently being developed.
