Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Darren Chester, has committed to working closer with transport operators to reduce road trauma and increase productivity.
Mr. Chester made the commitment during a meeting with a delegation of Australian Trucking Association (ATA) members in Canberra this week.
“There has been a reduction in road trauma within the heavy vehicle sector, but the overall road toll is increasing and we need a co-ordinated national approach,” Mr. Chester noted.
“I agreed to work closely with the ATA to improve safety for its members and other road users.”
According to Mr. Chester, the meeting covered a range of topics beyond heavy vehicle safety initiatives, ranging from small business support and infrastructure investment to road user charging.
Productivity was especially high on the agenda, he said. “This includes increased funding to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR, ed.), and record investment in infrastructure through the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme, Bridges Renewal Programme and the National Highway Upgrade Programme.
“Additional federal funding is only one part of the solution, and the Federal Government is committed to working closely with trucking operators to implement other measures to ensure freight can arrive at its destination on time and truck drivers arrive home safely.”
ATA Chair, Noelene Watson, said road safety initiatives and infrastructure upgrades are a priority for the industry, too. “The ATA recognises a number of initiatives the Australian Government has introduced to improve outcomes for the heavy vehicle industry. This includes the abolition of the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal, which caused significant hardship to smaller trucking operators, and re-investing that money into the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator,” she explained.
“Our industry’s focus remains on improving road safety, particularly through better educating light vehicle road users on how to share the road safely with heavy vehicles.
“Continued infrastructure upgrades, particularly along the Hume Highway, and road user charges remain another focus for our industry, and we look forward to working with the Commonwealth, states and territories with regard to this reform.”
According to Mr. Watson, the ATA also briefed Mr. Chester on its plan for mandatory 30 day payment terms for small trucking businesses.
Caption: Mr Chris Melham, Australian Trucking Association CEO; Philip Gordon, President Australian Furniture Removers Association and General Manager Conroy Removals; Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester MP; Mr Andrew Garrety Secretary/Treasury Australian Trucking Association; Mrs Noelene Watson, Chair Australian Trucking Association; and Kevin Keenan, President, Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association.