Ports have been a major focus of the Australian Government's reform program. The Waterfront Industry Reform Authority was responsible for reform of the stevedoring industry, completing its work in October 1992.

This Working Paper is the first in a series of Working Papers which disseminates the results of a large research project into the adequacy of Australia's transport infrastructure over the next 20 years.

This Working Paper is the second in a series of Working Papers which disseminates the results of a large research project into the adequacy of Australia's transport infrastructure over the next 20 years.

This Working Paper is the third in a series of Working Papers which disseminates the results of a large research project into the adequacy of Australia's transport infrastructure over the next 20 years.

This Working Paper is the fourth in a series of Working Papers which disseminates the results of a large research project into the adequacy of Australia's transport infrastructure over the next 20 years.

This Working Paper is the fifth in a series of Working Papers which disseminates the results of a large research project into the adequacy of Australia's transport infrastructure over the next 20 years.

This Working Paper is the sixth in a series of Working Papers which disseminates the results of a large research project into the adequacy of Australia's transport infrastructure over the next 20 years.

This issue of Waterline includes the regular articles on stevedoring performance, port interface costs and port performance. A feature article provides an overview of the non-containerised general cargo sector.

This report examines the appropriateness of established rates of assistance for the shipping of cargo to and from Tasmania and proposes rate amendments for different commodities and different units for the shipment of those commodities.

This issue of Waterline includes our regular article on stevedoring performance. The feature articles cover waterfront reliability, crew to berth ratios in Australian shipping and port charging.