Australia needs to pull its transport and logistics ‘socks’ up according to a new survey aimed at September’s Federal election.

Commissioned by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Australia (CILTA), the survey reveals Australia is only performing averagely in transport.

The survey says the nation needs to do much better in investing in infrastructure, planning for growth and coordinating between federal, state and local governments.

Major changes in both passenger and freight transport are needed to ensure economic growth, according to the survey of CILTA members.

The survey shows the top issues concerning members are more freight infrastructure 21.62 per cent, more passenger infrastructure 18.92 per cent, better coordination between levels of government 14.41 per cent, and more education and training 7.21 per cent.

Economic and population growth, carbon tax and government charges rated equally at 5.41 per cent.

While CILTA members were happy that some progress is being made in upgrading the national rail system and major highway black spots such as Queensland's Bruce Highway, they rated at the worst performance a lack of national uniformity in infrastructure planning and funding and regulations, urban road congestion, and lack of priority given to freight and passenger transport for economic efficiency. Sydney Airport also scored a low mark.

CILTA Chairman Andrew Stewart says the survey showed an enormous amount of work remained for the next Federal Government to improve transport and logistics.

He says a new Federal Government needs to work on better investment and coordination of infrastructure, more uniformity in regulation, and major efforts needed to clear bottlenecks in urban areas, sea and air freight.

"Transport and logistics gets little attention in elections, yet it is one of the largest sectors of the economy and vital to economic efficiency," says Stewart.

"Its efficiency impacts on every person and every business in Australia. It is about the cost of goods and services, as well as about congestion and lifestyle."

Stewart says the survey clearly shows the sector faces major issues that are being tackled too slowly and with a lack of coordination.

"A higher priority is needed from government on freight and passenger infrastructure, regulation and people skills to improve Australia's economic growth and efficiency," he says.

Stewart says by CILTA members giving Australia’s transport and logistics performance an average score – neither best nor worst – should be concerning to all levels of government.

View Survey Results online at www.cilta.com.au/index.cfm?MenuID=99&InstituteNewsID=89