The Garnaut Climate Change Review is seeking feedback on policies that could support cost effective emissions reductions in the freight sector, following the release of its issues paper on transport, planning and the built environment.
The review is examining the impact of climate change on the Australian economy.
The issues paper notes the debate about the competitiveness of road and rail pricing.
It points out that pricing is just one of the issues that companies consider when they decide how to transport their freight.
In addition, they also look at timing, staffing, accessibility, flexibility, and handling costs.
The paper also notes that trucks may be the only viable option for freight in some situations.
In fact, the Productivity Commission has concluded that only 10 to 15 per cent of the freight task is contestable between road and rail.
The ATA will be making a submission to the Garnaut Review in response to the issues paper. The paper can be downloaded from www.garnautreview.org.au. Submissions close on 11 April 2008.