THE TASMANIAN government has urged its Victorian counterparts to start talks with exporters and shipping companies, concerned with possible fee hikes as a result of the Port of Melbourne sale.
Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding said he had met with Victorian Ports Minister Luke Donnellan, while Treasurer Peter Gutwein had discussions with his counterpart Tim Pallas, to make clear the critical importance of the port to Tasmania.
"More than 90 per cent of Tasmania’s non-bulk freight is shipped through the port, making our State responsible for 25 per cent of its throughput," Mr Hidding said.
If the Victorian government could not act, the ACCC should be involved, Mr Hidding said.
"Both Victorian Ministers have given assurances that they do not wish to see Tasmania penalised under the sale process, but unfortunately we are receiving a different message from the companies that will be directly impacted."
Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman has now written to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews requesting that the Port of Melbourne Corporation be instructed to urgently engage in commercial negotiations with Tasmanian shipping interests.
"We want to see the renewal of their leases with the port before any sale," Mr Hodgman said.
If this didn't happen in a timely manner, the Victorian Government should prepare an Access Undertaking for relevant infrastructure services that is acceptable to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
"Alternatively, we have requested that the successful bidder be required to prepare and submit their own access undertakings that are acceptable to the ACCC," Mr Hidding said.
"These arrangements provide for the ACCC to arbitrate should there not be agreement on terms of access to port facilities."
