Australia First Party accuses governments and big operators of conspiring to kill off owner-drivers
By Brad Gardner | April 15, 2010
A nationalist political party is pushing for changes to the transport industry “to save our truckies”.
The NSW-based Australia First Party, which is not registered in NSW or federally, claims small trucking companies are facing an organised attack from large operators and governments.
According to the group, which defended Cronulla’s race riots as a “civil uprising”, new work diaries were introduced by governments and large operators to cripple owner-drivers.
“The new log books set out unworkable procedures that will drive smaller businesses out,” the party states in a pamphlet being publicly issued.
As well as having work diaries abolished, Australia First wants the severity of fines reduced because it claims police and road enforcement officers target owner-drivers to raise revenue.
“The fines also put many people out of the industry,” the pamphlet reads.
The group also wants an end to speed and red light cameras, all freeways nationalised and tollways scrapped.
Australia First also wants the GST stripped from the fuel excise.
Unless its policies are adopted, the group claims experienced owner-operators will be pushed out of the industry.
“It will see a few monopolies run everything,” the party says.
Australia First is known for its anti-immigration stance, and says there needs to be a battle fought against different cultures to defend Australia’s European heritage.