The peak body for the Australian trucking industry, the Australian Trucking Association (ATA), has today called on the Federal Government to abolish the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal and repeal the associated Road Safety Remuneration Act.



ATA Chair Noelene Watson said one of the key pillars of the ATA was to continually address and improve trucking industry and operator viability.



“The PWC and Jaguar Consulting reports released today show that not only have the Road Safety Remuneration Act and Tribunal failed to have any appreciable impact on road safety; they will have a negative economic impact,” Mrs Watson said.



“In particular, the Jaguar Consulting report points out that the tribunal’s prescriptive approach is at odds with the best practice general duties approach to heavy vehicle safety recently agreed to by transport ministers following advice from the ATA.



“Until now, the ATA has had no mandate to be involved in the tribunal.



“However, the definitive findings of today’s reports make it clear that the Act and tribunal are a threat to the viability of more than 20,000 small trucking operators, and to our economy generally.



“The tribunal has now become involved in business to business transactions. The ATA has a duty to protect its small business members from this regulation of how they run their businesses.



“It is essential that operators and drivers are paid fairly. The Act and tribunal are the wrong solution to the problem; the ATA is committed to finding better solutions in a timely manner. 



“Many smaller operators, particularly those in rural and regional areas, will be out of business as a result of the devastating impact of the RSRT and its orders.



“It’s essential for the Government to respond to these recommendations as a matter of urgency and abolish this threat to Australia’s trucking operators,” Mrs Watson said.