The Australian Furniture Removers’ Association (AFRA) has rejoined the Australian Trucking Association, after leaving in February 2011.
AFRA (www.afra.com.au) is the peak authority on skills and standards for the removals industry, with 350 members covering virtually every region of Australia. AFRA accreditation certifies that a business meets the highest standards. For people planning to move house, using an AFRA accredited removalist is an assurance that the move will be done smoothly and professionally.
The President of AFRA, Andrew Garrety from Oldfield Removals and Storage, said AFRA focused on certifying its members and providing high quality training.
“At the same time, we know our members are affected by government policies that affect all trucking operators, such as the carbon tax and national truck laws,” Mr Garrety said.
“By rejoining the ATA, our members will get top-quality representation on these issues.
“Our members are particularly concerned about the current and planned laws saying that business directors and managers are guilty until they can prove themselves innocent of chain of responsibility offences.
“We can’t see why people who run a trucking or removals business should be treated this way, when every other Australian gets their day in court and is presumed innocent.
“The ATA is working hard to get the law fixed, and we’re proud to part of it,” he said.
The Chairman of the ATA, David Simon, welcomed AFRA’s return.
“AFRA has always been an active voice for its members at ATA Council meetings. It has also had an important role on the ATA’s skills and workforce and transport and economics committees,” Mr Simon said.
“We’re looking forward to working with AFRA again to represent its members. Under our new membership strategy, its members will also receive stronger direct benefits, starting with discounts to attend the 2012 Australian Trucking Convention and our Technical and Maintenance Conference.
“The convention will cover the big issues affecting trucking operators in 2012, and will feature international safety leader Don Osterberg from Schneider National in America,” Mr Simon said.
The convention will run from Wednesday 16 to Saturday 19 May 2012, and will be held at the Rosehill Gardens Event Centre, Sydney.
