 |
 |
| Wednesday, 30 May 2012 |
| Port Licence Fee Melbourne |
|
Dear All, The Port of Melbourne Corporation (PoMC) yesterday released its new Reference Tariff Schedule, effective from July 1, which has resulted from the requirement for the Port to pay to the Victorian Government a Port Licence fee. The Australian Federation of International Forwarders (AFIF) is not supportive of an increase of any sort in this current environment. This is effectively a State Govt tax to fund infrastructure improvements necessary for the vital industry of trade through Victorian Ports. We believe that the provision of Port and related infrastructure should be a State Govt responsibility with assistance from the Federal Govt and would therefore be taxpayer funded as relevant to Australian growth through trade. Licence Fees imposed for a purpose such as has been declared are rarely removed and any surplus may then become consolidated revenue for the Government. We are not impressed with either the imposition of such a large fee, or the process, because despite the so-called consultation it was a fait accompli. These comments were also expressed by the AFIF representative to the PoMC at an industry meeting convened in April to outline and explain the rationale behind the imposition of an increase in fees. The PoMC advice in regard to the new fees is contained in the following statement to industry: The PoMC Reference Tariff Schedule copy is available from: http://www.portofmelbourne.com/shipping/~/media/Global/Docs/RTS%202012_13.ashx Please notify your customers of these changes. Regards, Brian Lovell |