The ATA supports proposed changes by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) that would allow the continued use of 40 channel truck radios.
In 2011 limitations to the continued use of this equipment was introduced to reduce congestion, which has since been achieved.
In its submission to the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) inquiry into payment times and practices, the ATA has called for a mandatory code to prohibit extended payment times being forced on small businesses The trucking industry consists almost entirely of small businesses and is characterised by tight margins. The vast majority of the costs incurred by small trucking businesses must be met before they can bill their customers. This includes wages or personal living costs, fuel, tyres, finance costs, registration and maintenance.
The ATA has recommended a strong road safety focus should be included in the Australian Government’s 2017-18 Federal Budget.
The Victorian Government should reject the imposition of fixed payment rates under the Owner Drivers and Forestry Contractors Act 2005 (Vic), the ATA submission to the review of the Act says.
Productivity reforms to road freight and greater use of High Productivity Vehicles (HPVs) are critical reforms for a more prosperous economy, as outlined in the ATA submission to the Productivity Review.
Road freight is critical to the economy and productivity reforms in the sector can deliver significant gains to the wider economy. Increasing the use of HPVs can move more freight on less trucks, delivering productivity gains in the road freight sector.
The investigative powers in the national truck law should be simplified and streamlined, the ATA submission to the NTC review of the investigative and enforcement powers in the Heavy Vehicle National Law says.
The Heavy Vehicle National Law and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 would make far reaching changes to the HVNL. It should be passed.
The ATA has provided the NTC with industry feedback on its PBS Marketplace consultation paper.
The ATA has recommended in its submission to the National Transport Commission (NTC) to increase volumetric load capacity in semi-trailers and heavy vehicles without further increasing mass limits.
In its submission to the development of the Transport and Logistics Industry Reference Committee work plan, the ATA has called for improving truck driver licensing training and assessment to be a high priority.