Australia's sea and airfreight services were hit hard by COVID. On 10 Aug, Michael Byrne, Australia's International Freight Coordinator General, and Paul Zalai, Director, Freight & Trade Alliance, joined ACITI to discuss how Australia's supply chains are managing as we come out of COVID. Michael and Paul also talked about the key challenges for Australia's supply chains going forward. Go to the ACITI Forum page for the recording.

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Mr Michael Byrne

With over 30 years’ experience as a sector leader, Michael Byrne could best be described as Australia’s Godfather of freight and logistics.

 With previous roles as MD, COO and Director of Toll Holdings, CEO of Coates Hire, Linfox and Westgate Holdings,and Non-Executive Director of Australia Post, Michael’s career spans some of the biggest logistics companies in the world. He has lent his commercial expertise to the government by serving on numerous boards advising on transportation, infrastructure, food security and security matters. He has also served the community as a board member for OzHarvest.

 Most recently, Michael stood up the International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM), and as International Freight Coordinator General, led a team ensuring Australia’s air freight services for perishable and critical goods were maintained through COVID.

 He currently serves on the NSW Ports and Ausgrid Boards. He is a council member on the NSW Freight Advisory Council, a Senate member for the University of WA and leads the Talent and Capability Think Tank for Deakin University.

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Mr Paul Zalai

Paul Zalai is the Director of Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA), the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) and Australia’s representative at the Global Shippers Forum. He is an all round good bloke who busts a gut to iron out the many wrinkles in Australia’s supply chains on behalf of FTA and APSA members.

FTA is an advocacy alliance of exporters, importers, customs brokers, freight forwarders and logistics service providers. FTA tackles emerging supply chain issues through operational support, professional development training, industry updates, commercial services and corporate events.

APSA provides similar advocacy services for Australian shippers generally in relation to liner cargo shipping services.