The Australian Logistics Council has praised the appointment of Schott Buchholz as assistant minister for road and freight transport, as part of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s new Cabinet.
ALC chief executive Kirk Coningham said the addition of a specific role for freight transport in the Cabinet was the prime minister “sending an important message to our industry and to the wider community”.
“It is significant that freight transport is now a specific portfolio title within the ministry, and highlights that enhanced supply chain performance will be a priority for the re-elected Coalition Government.”
Buchholz represents the Division of Wright in South East Queensland. He has held the seat since 2010, and in 2015 served for seven months as the chief government whip in the House of Representatives.
He was a founder and director of the CQX Group of transport companies for 18 years.
Coningham encouraged Buchholz towards the ALC’s pre-election report setting out 39 priority actions for the incoming Federal Government to address challenges and opportunities relevant to all modes of freight transport.
“ALC will be pursuing the matters contained in this publication with the re-elected Coalition Government, and ensuring that supply chain efficiency and safety is appropriately prioritised in government policy making,” he said.
Coningham also congratulated Anthony Albanese for his appointment as Labor leader, and thus the next Leader of the Opposition.
“Given [Albanese’s] vast experience in dealing with infrastructure related matters, there is now a genuine opportunity to build a long-term approach to infrastructure planning and investment that is truly bipartisan in nature.”