On 7 October 2025, the Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government and Senator the Hon Anthony Chisholm, Assistant Minister for Regional Development announced the appointment of Mr David Parmeter and Dr Jenny Gordon as co-chairs of the independent review of the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES) and the Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme (BSPVES).
The review will contribute to serving the best interests of Tasmanian businesses and communities by reducing administrative burden and enabling more efficient shipping. It will help ensure that the schemes remain fit-for-purpose and delivers for Tasmanians into the future while supporting fair and sustainable access to mainland markets.
Details on public consultations for the review will be published on this page and on our Have Your Say page as they arise.
The scope and timing of the review is included in the Terms of Reference for the review.
Co-chairs
Mr David Parmeter
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David has significant experience in the maritime industry. David started his career at BHP Steel as an industrial officer in 1981. In 1984 he went to work with the Australian National Line as an industrial relations officer. David subsequently joined the Commonwealth Steamship Owners Association, which later merged with the Australian Shipowners Association (ASA) to become Maritime Industry Australia.
After more than a decade working with the ASA, David moved to Teekay Shipping Australia (TKA) in 2002, as Director of Human Resources. In 2006, he became Managing Director of TKA, a role he held for nearly 12 years.
David has previously been elected as President of Asian Shipowners Association. In 2018, David became Chair of Maritime Industry Australia Limited.
David was appointed as Director of the Sydney Bethel Union in November 2019 and is currently the Deputy Chair. David is also currently the Chair of the Australian Mariners' Welfare Society.
David has a Bachelor of Commerce (Industrial Relations) from University of NSW and a Bachelor of Laws from University of Technology, Sydney.
Dr Jenny Gordon
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Jenny is a policy economist with deep experience in economic and social policy, drawing on micro and macroeconomic frameworks, models, and empirical analysis. She has worked at a high level in business and government.
Jenny started her professional career at the Reserve Bank of Australia. In 1995, Jenny became a partner at the Centre for International Economics.
From 2008, Jenny spent 10 years at the Australian Productivity Commission as Principal Adviser (Research) and First Assistant Secretary. In 2018, Jenny joined Nous Group where she was the Chief Economist.
Jenny was the Chief Economist at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from 2019 to 2021.
Jenny is currently a Non-Executive Director and Natural Capital and Climate, an Honorary Professor for the Centre for Social Research at the Australian National University, a Nonresident Fellow at the Lowy Institute, and serves on the Advisory Council at the Asian Development Bank Institute.
Jenny has a PhD in Economics and a Master of Arts from Harvard University, and a Master and Bachelor of Economics (Honours) from Macquarie University.