Hon Steve Martin questions the role of WA's Shipping Policy Unit in the Commonwealth's Australian Strategic Fleet pilot and inquires about concerns raised regarding program delays. The Minister confirms active coordination and alignment of state and federal initiatives.

AnsweredQoN 1242Legislative Council
Asked
24 February 2026
Portfolio
Ports

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the State Government's Shipping Policy Unit and the Commonwealth's Australian Strategic Fleet pilot, and I ask: (a) what role has the Shipping Policy Unit had, if any, in the Commonwealth scheme; and (b) has the Minister written to the Commonwealth to express concern that the program appears to have stalled behind schedule, as reported in the ABC article dated 11 December 2025 by Kelly Fuller?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
14 April 2026
Responded by
Minister for Ports
Response time
8 days
(a-b) The Shipping Policy Unit has been actively coordinating with the Commonwealth Government’s Strategic Fleet Branch, shipping companies and government to ensure WA’s interests are represented in the Commonwealth Government's Australian Strategic Fleet Pilot Program.
The Shipping Policy Unit is responsible for the establishment of the State’s $5 million Supply Chain Resilience Fund, which will augment the Commonwealth Government's Strategic Fleet Pilot Program. The State and Commonwealth Governments are coordinating to align the two schemes and ensure appropriate shipping and resilience benefits for WA.

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