Ministerial Freight Advisory Council
Terms of Reference
Background
Victoria’s freight and logistics sector is a key strategic asset that delivers a vital competitive advantage for the
State, driving economic growth and employment. However, the industry is facing significant challenges in coming
years as the size of the freight task continues to grow while pressures of operating in urban environments also
increase.
In addressing the freight challenge, the State Government recognises the importance of partnering with the freight
industry and its customers to support effective policy development and deliver initiatives that enhance efficiency
and boost the productivity of the sector. The Government considers that direct, targeted engagement between key
industry representatives and Ministers is critical to ensuring that policy initiatives are well designed and effectively
targeted.
Purpose of the MFAC
The purpose of the Ministerial Freight Advisory Council is to support strategic policy development for freight and
logistics through ongoing liaison at the highest level between the public and private sectors. The MFAC is a forum
for the Government to discuss and receive feedback on key issues and potential policy initiatives and for MFAC
representatives to present Government with views and ideas on key matters of interest.
Role and Function of MFAC
The role and function of the MFAC is to:

Inform the Government of trends, issues, barriers and innovations affecting performance of the freight and
logistics sector;

Provide advice to Government on potential initiatives for improving the efficiency and productivity of Victoria’s
freight and logistics sector;

Provide a forum for communicating progress and identifying issues in the implementation of Government
freight policies and strategies;

Improve the efficiency and effectiveness on communication of freight and logistics related issues between
industry and the Government; and

Oversee organisation and delivery of an annual Ministerial Freight Industry Summit event.
MFAC Membership
Members are appointed by the Ministers responsible for Public Transport, Roads & Road Safety and Ports. Each
appointment will be for a period up to two years. Meetings of the MFAC will be chaired by the Deputy Secretary
Transport Network Development.
MFAC members will be drawn from a range of businesses engaged in the freight and logistics industry and
stakeholders that rely on freight and logistics as an important input. It is also noted that there will be no
substitutes if members are unable to attend meetings.
Frequency of Meetings
The MFAC will meet quarterly with the Ministers responsible for Public Transport, Roads & Road Safety and Ports.
The MFAC meetings will be organised and supported by the MFAC secretariat located in the Department of
Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources.
Ministerial Freight Industry Summit
In addition to quarterly meetings of the MFAC, an annual Ministerial Freight Industry Summit event will be held to
support engagement of the Ministers responsible for Public Transport, Roads & Road Safety and Ports with a
broader range of industry representatives. Organisation of the Summit event will be overseen by the MFAC with
the support of the MFAC secretariat. Invitations to the Summit will be agreed with the responsible Ministers.
MFAC Secretariat Arrangements
The MFAC will be supported by a secretariat provided by the Transport Network Development Division of the
Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources. The secretariat will be responsible for
organising meetings of the MFAC, issuing agendas and preparing any papers as required. The secretariat will also
support the MFAC, in consultation with Ministers, to organise an Ministerial Freight Industry Summit event.
The secretariat will also provide liaison and support relevant to Commonwealth Government freight and logistics
policies, programs and proposals.
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