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ATA backs Coalition plans for transport

The NSW branch of the ATA says trucking industry will benefit under the state's new Premier Barry O’Farrell

March 29, 2011

Trucking operators will benefit from the Coalition’s plans to reshape transport and infrastructure in NSW, the state’s trucking lobby says.

Following the Coalition’s decisive victory over Labor at the weekend, the NSW branch of the Australian Trucking Association has backed Premier Barry O’Farrell’s planl to reform licensing laws and establish Restart NSW.

Under O’Farrell’s proposal, licence fees will be reduced by 50 percent for drivers who do not commit a traffic offence for at least five years as part of the Coalition’s Fair Go for Safe Drivers strategy.

“NSW trucking operators will benefit from the Coalition’s plan to establish Restart NSW, a dedicated infrastructure fund that will commit up to $5 billion to infrastructure projects,” ATA NSW manager Jill Lewis says.

She has also supported O’Farrell’s commitment to require government agencies to pay their bills within 30 days

“Many small businesses do jobs for the state government but are not paid on time. The requirement will improve the health of every small business in the state that does business with the government, including trucking operators,” Lewis says.

While supporting the Fair Go for Safe Drivers strategy, Lewis says she will work with the Coalition to adopt the industry’s licensing proposal.

Under the ATA’s recommendation, truck drivers who complete competency-based training through a TAFE or training organisation will be able to move to higher licensing categories more quickly.

“Our plan would give drivers a strong incentive to get better training, and improve safety on the roads,” Lewis says.

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