MHD FROM ALC
L
LEARNING EARLY LESSONS IN THE COVID-19 WORLD
ike every other industry, Australia’s freight and logistics sector has spent the past two months grappling with the realities of doing business in a changed world. While for many this has meant transitioning to ‘working from home’ arrangements, contemplating shifts from ‘bricks and mortar’ retail arrangements to online sales in retail and a changed focus for hospitality businesses towards takeaway and delivery sales, the challenge for this sector is somewhat different. The simple reality is this; those on the frontline of Australia’s freight logistics industry can’t ‘work from home’. Our ports, stevedores, road, rail and air freight operators are working
tirelessly to keep supply chains flowing and make sure Australian communities can access the goods they need day-to-day. As challenging as the COVID-19 crisis is, it would be far worse without the dedicated support and service offered by those working in Australia’s logistics industry. All levels of government have made it clear that freight transport and logistics remain an essential service. In turn, this means that those who are working around the clock to support households and communities at this challenging time deserve the strongest levels of support and flexibility from governments and from the wider community.
China is already seeing a pick up in consumer spending. 66 | MHD MAY 2020
In the difficult circumstances that all of us are currently enduring, the health and security of our workforce must remain paramount. As instances of panic buying occurred in the early days of the COVID-19 event, it was distressing to hear instances of transport workers and in-store retail personnel being accosted by angry consumers. The current situation is having an impact on the day-to-day lives of all Australians – and perhaps it is inevitable that this is causing frustration and irritation for some. However, taking those frustrations out on delivery drivers or retail workers is completely unacceptable. Far more positive has been the
