Port connectivity now key government policy: Truss

<p>Better coordination and integration of Australia’s ports into the national transport system are the twin objectives of a federal transport policy, industry members have been told.</p> <p>Federal transport minister Warren Truss told the Port 2005 conference in Brisbane that the Government and industry ought to think of the transport chain as one system, rather than concentrating on individual links.</p> <p>"The AusLink program is setting an example in transport efficiency by investing in a safe, integrated and high-performing national network of road and rail systems that connect with our key ports," Mr Truss said.</p> <p>"Port access roads and rail links are an important target for the $12.7bn AusLink program."</p> <p>AusLink planning would now be extended to ports and shipping channels after the Council of Australian Governments gave its principle agreement to the move in June, he said.</p> <p>Timely investment decisions in ports were essential to ensure that export potential was not curtailed, he said.</p> <br />