<p>Tim Blood, managing director of P&O Ports, and Don Telford, chief executive of Pacific National, have joined the Australian Logistics Council as members. </p> <p>Council chairman Ivan Backman welcomed them, saying he looked forward to their input.</p> <p>Mr Backman cited major changes in the logistics industry that reinforced the need to maintain focus and commitment on the ALC’s agenda, including: </p> <p>• Work on the free trade agreement with China is likely to have huge impacts and opportunities </p> <p>• Toll’s purchase of Patrick has changed the landscape, but is really a continuation of a longer term trend </p> <p>• QR and Babcock & Brown’s purchase of Australian Railroad Group and </p> <p>• Linfox’s purchase of FCL Transport Services.</p> <p>Other major events from the government’s side include:</p> <p>• AusLink corridor studies moving forward </p> <p>• Melbourne port strategic plan release and </p> <p>• New South Wales state plan – with no mention of freight logistics. </p> <p>Mr Backman said that over the next few months, the council intended to look carefully at both the future of the industry and the role that the council should play. </p> <p>He asked members to debate this at the next meeting in Perth, on November 17, and to commit resources to the council so that it could maintain the momentum it had been building.</p> <br />
