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Lambie joins Lazarus as independents against RSRT

Jacqui Lambie adds her voice to anti-RSRT movement after meeting with TWU and NatRoad

 

Tasmanian independent senator Jacqui Lambie has added her voice, and her vote, to abolishing the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal after meeting with the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) and the National Road Transport Association (NatRoad).

In a statement, Lambie says she support the move to further empower the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) put forward by fellow independent senator Glenn Lazarus.

“I support Senator Lazarus’s plan to immediately abolish the Federal Tribunal (RSRT) whose pay decision would have killed off 35,000 Australian small and family trucking businesses, while giving an unfair advantage to big fleet operators,” she says.

While backing Lazarus’ plan, who will unveil a Bill in the federal parliament in the week of April 18, Lambie would also like to keep the provision from the Contractor Driver Minimum Payments Road Safety Remuneration Order 2016 (RSRO) that outlines a 30-day pay deadline on work completed.

“After speaking with Warren Clark – the CEO of National Road Transport Association, it’s become obvious that the greatest threat to Australian trucking road safety – is the failure by our big business to pay their transport bills on time,” Lambie says.

“No rates of pay have a big effect on road safety – that’s why I support legislation and the empowerment of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) so that it can enforce and mandate the payment of 30 day accounts by big business – to all trucking operators, especially those small family businesses.”

Like Lazarus, Lambie has an issue with the Liberal Party’s decision to hold the fate of the RSRT and the RSRO over until after the upcoming July election.

“Stop the political games,” she says.

“Abolish the RSRT and their silly low pay orders now – and pass legislation which guarantees that small trucking businesses are paid on time i.e. within 30 days not 120.

“That’s the simplest and easiest action the parliament can take to increase Australian road safety.”

The sentiment has been applauded by the Australian Trucking Association, who are calling for urgent action.

“The Road Safety Remuneration Order is already forcing many owner drivers out of the industry, and is causing enormous financial and personal hardship on thousands more throughout Australia,” ATA CEO Christopher Melham says.

“We are delighted to hear Senators Lazarus and Lambie publicly advocating the immediate abolition of the RSRT, rather than a delay.”

Melham has also asked financial institutions to show empathy for owner-drivers.

“I also call on financial institutions to show compassion regarding the terrible financial plight some owner drivers find themselves in as a result of the pay order, and urge them to refrain from any adverse action until this mess is sorted out,” he says.

Fellow independent sentator Ricky Muir is believed to be holding to his support of the RSRT, which he documented in 2014, but considering a look at the RSRO.

 

 

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