The Australian Trucking Association will continue to focus on increasing the industry’s safety, professionalism and viability under its 2013-2015 strategic plan, released today.

The Chairman of the ATA, David Simon, released the plan at the ATA’s annual general meeting.

Mr Simon said the actions set out in plan aimed to increase the industry’s safety, with work on the Heavy Vehicle National Law, best practice standards through TruckSafe and a focus on the Road Ahead to communicate the ATA’s message of sharing the road safely.

“The plan also aims to promote the highest level of professionalism across the industry, with the National Trucking Industry Awards rewarding excellence and best practice,” Mr Simon said.

“It sets out how the ATA will work to improve the industry’s viability, with strong advocacy for a fair and effective road charging and investment system and a commitment to campaign against the Australian Government’s plan to extend the carbon tax to trucking from 1 July 2014.”

In his report to members, Mr Simon said the campaign against the carbon tax would need to be a priority for 2013.

“This year, we will also need to focus on lobbying the state and territory governments to sign up to the Heavy Vehicle National Law with as few changes as possible, which will deliver safety benefits and reduce the compliance burden on operators over time,” Mr Simon said.

“I think we should recognise the state governments have been very proactive in this area, and that there are expected to be very few variations in the way the laws are implemented between states.

“The ATA will also need to work to protect the industry’s fuel tax credits from unwarranted erosion or attempts to abolish them completely, and press for a road funding and charging system that is fair and that supports continued improvements in the industry’s productivity and safety.”

In his report, Mr Simon said the ATA had helped deliver significant achievements for the industry in 2012, including the Heavy Vehicle National Law and National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, $140 million for truck rest areas and productivity improvements in the federal budget, and the new Co-operative Research Centre for Alertness, Safety and Productivity.

He said the ATA had also released two new technical advisory procedures, covering electronic braking and side underrun protection.