The trucking industry welcomes the appointment of Michael McCormack as the new Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and as Deputy Prime Minister, the Chair of the Australian Trucking Association, Geoff Crouch, said today.

 “Michael McCormack will bring great drive and determination to the infrastructure and transport portfolio,” Mr Crouch said.

 “I have known Michael for more than 20 years. He is a proven advocate for small business, and regional and remote Australia. I’m confident he’ll bring this drive and determination to supporting the road transport industry.”

 Mr Crouch said that Minister McCormack had demonstrated an understanding of the importance of the road transport industry and had said in parliament [14 March 2012]:

 “If it needs to be carried, carted, dumped, hauled, moved, shifted or transported, there is every likelihood a truck or trailer will be the most economical, fastest and most reliable way of getting it from point A to point B.”

 Mr Crouch said the appointment of Minister McCormack was an opportunity to focus the transport agenda on improving safety and boosting productivity.

 “Trucking is critical to connecting Australians with goods and exports, as Michael McCormack knows well,” Mr Crouch said.

 “But road transport must be safe, and must keep Australian businesses competitive in global markets.

 “The ATA looks forward to engaging with the Deputy Prime Minister on the need for independent and expert safety investigations of heavy vehicle accidents by the ATSB, on implementing the new laws on chain of responsibility, and ensuring our fatigue laws and rest areas are focused on saving lives.

 “We also need to enable economic opportunity by boosting productivity, improving road access, building better and safer roads and eliminating over-regulation.”