The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has congratulated Darren Chester on his appointment as Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.



ATA Chair Noelene Watson said Minister Chester was a vocal supporter of improving road safety through safer drivers, safer vehicles and safer roads.



“In January, Minister Chester called for a national approach to reducing the road toll, including improving the road network and harmonising enforcement to optimise road safety across state borders,” Mrs Watson said.



“These issues are close to our heart, too. The ATA looks forward to working with Minister Chester towards these goals, particularly through the ATA’s existing commitments to continued progress on reforming the heavy vehicle national law and developing a stronger national approach to driver licencing and training.



“The ATA will also continue to lobby for the registration of industry codes of practice such as TruckSafe under the heavy vehicle national law, as a way of introducing co-regulatory arrangements for safe operators.



“We know that accidents can be avoided through the use of higher productivity vehicles to move freight, rather than using many smaller trucks for the same load. By improving road access and permissions for these vehicles where appropriate, industry and the community can both benefit from improved safety and freight productivity.”



Mrs Watson said the ATA also looked forward to working with Minister Chester on the Government’s road pricing reform program.



“Before the Government implements road pricing reform, it first needs to address the flaws in the current system which have led to the trucking industry being overcharged since 2007,” Mrs Watson said.



“In our pre-budget submission, the ATA recommended that the Government address its share of the overcharging - more than $100 million over the next two years - by reducing the road user charge and increasing funding for the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program and the Bridges Renewal Program.



“This would result in more truck rest areas and more productive infrastructure, which would continue to aid the safety and productivity of Australia’s trucking industry,” she said.