ATA urges Govt to keep promises

Melham calls for PM to focus on profitability and safety

The Australian Trucking Association has congratulated Malcolm Turnbull and the Liberal/National Coalition on their election win but said the government can't take its eye off the trucking industry.

In its election report cards, the ATA awarded the Coalition three ticks out of three for its policies on no Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal, practical road safety measures, and building stronger trucking businesses.

The Chief Executive Officer of the ATA, Christopher Melham, said the Coalition has pledged not to re-establish the RSRT or any similar price fixing mechanism, and also pledged to spend up big on safety.

“Small trucking businesses subject to the RSRT’s price-fixing order found that it increased costs by 20-30 per cent. They could not compete; their survival was at risk. The election result has lifted this threat from their businesses,” Mr Melham said.

Mr Melham urged the re-elected government to turn its focus to implementing its policy commitments.

"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,” he said.

"These safety measures must now be locked down. In the industry’s view, 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."

Mr Melham said he looked forward to the new government working with the industry to address the business challenges faced by trucking operators.

"The vast majority of trucking operators are small businesses. They can face extended payment terms, but still need to pay their own creditors. The ATA has called for the development of a mandatory code under the Competition and Consumer Act to cover payment terms for these businesses, including a ban on unfair set offs and pay when paid arrangements.

"The Government must also continue to work on eliminating the overcharging of truck and bus operators. In addition, the Government must 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.

ATA urges Govt to keep promises

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