Cook Government risks leaving WA exposed on east–west supply chain resilience four years after taskforce announcement

Media Statement | 25 February 2026

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Hon Steve Martin MLC

Shadow Minister for Transport; Ports; Communities

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With WA’s critical east–west freight rail link again shut down again, the State Opposition is

demanding answers from the Cook Government about what it has done to boost WA’s supply

chain resilience four years after announcing a taskforce to investigate options.

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Sections of the Trans-Australian Railway - the primary freight route between Perth and the

eastern states - have been washed away by flooding in South Australia, with the line expected

to be closed for at least a week.

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After flooding impacting the same rail link in early 2022 left supermarket shelves bare across

the State, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti announced a taskforce to investigate the use of

state-owned or leased container ships as a stand-by option.

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Four years later, the only tangible outcome is a statement that the State Government has

established an internal policy unit, and a $1 million-a-year training fund announced in this

year’s State Budget.

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Meanwhile, the Commonwealth’s Australian Strategic Fleet pilot program also appears to

have stalled, with no actual ships announced by the planned “early 2025” deadline.

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Shadow Transport Minister Steve Martin said the Cook Government has once again prioritised

announcements over delivery.

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“In early 2022, supermarket shelves ran empty not because of the pandemic, but because

flooding forced the closure of our state’s freight rail line,” he said.

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“Transport Minister Rita Saffioti announced a taskforce to look at contingency measures such

as purchasing or leasing ships to be on standby. It’s now four years later – what’s the result?

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“This is yet another example of the Cook Government prioritising announcements and spin

but failing to actually deliver and get the basics right. In this case, the risk is WA’s supply

chain being left exposed.

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“It doesn’t get much more basic than ensuring that critical freight to transport food and other

vital goods can continue to occur after natural disasters hit parts of the network.

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“It may not be flashy, but securing our state’s supply chain is a core responsibility. Western

Australians will notice something is wrong pretty quickly if shelves run dry."

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Media contact: Hon Steve Martin MLC 0428 886 062

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