The Australian Trucking Association has welcomed the re-appointment of Darren Chester and Paul Fletcher to the Government’s key infrastructure posts, and the appointment of Michael McCormack as Minister for Small Business.
The Chief Executive Officer of the ATA, Christopher Melham, said that Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester had a strong personal commitment to road safety.
“Following discussions with the industry, the Coalition committed to spend an extra $4 million a year on truck safety measures, with the money coming from the abolition of the RSRT,” Mr Melham said.
“The ATA is looking forward to continuing our work with Minister Chester to put these safety measures in place. In particular, we will continue discussions with Minister Chester about our proposal that the NHVR should be charged with co-ordinating an information campaign for car drivers about how to share the road safely with trucks. The campaign should run nationally, including in WA and the NT.
“The ATA also urges Minister Chester and Minister Fletcher to energise work on the truck safety standards, so truck and trailer stability control technology can be mandated from 2019 for new model trucks and trailers and from 2020 for new trucks and trailers, with appropriate exemptions,” he said.
Mr Melham said the trucking industry consisted almost entirely of small businesses.
“Fifty per cent of trucking businesses have no employees – the only people who work in the businesses are the owners. 98 per cent of trucking businesses have fewer than 20 employees,” he said.
“Trucking businesses can face extended payment terms, but still need to pay their own creditors.
“Michael McCormack understands regional small businesses, and the ATA will be seeking an early meeting with him to discuss our proposal for a mandatory code under the Competition and Consumer Act to cover payment terms for small trucking businesses.
“The Government must also continue working to eliminate the overcharging of truck and bus operators. An independent government body concluded in 2015 that truck and bus operators will be overcharged for their use of the road system by $515 million over the coming two years.
“Finally, the ATA encourages the Government to work with the states to improve the way infrastructure projects are selected and funded. Sound infrastructure investment is essential for lifting Australia’s productivity, but governments have to build the right projects at the right price,” he said.
