The ATA has called on owner-drivers to make their thoughts known at tomorrow’s event
The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) is calling on Adelaide-based owner-drivers to have their say on the recently-removed Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal’s ‘safe rates’ order tomorrow.
As detailed yesterday, the first of the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) consultation sessions takes place tomorrow from 9am till 11am at The Parks Recreation & Sports Centre.
ATA CEO Christopher Melham says the burden the 2016 Road Safety Remuneration Order (RSRO) placed upon small family businesses was “tremendous” and the “order put the fundamental viability of our industry under threat.”
“Owner drivers were losing their livelihoods and family businesses were folding under the pressure of this unfair, two-tier payment system,” Melham says.
“Owner drivers and small trucking businesses right across Australia stood up and said this wasn’t right.
“As a result of the industry’s massive grassroots campaign, the RSRT was abolished on 18 April 2016.
“However, it’s essential the spectre of the RSRT can’t come back to haunt small trucking operators.
“I encourage Adelaide owner drivers to participate in the ASBFEO’s consultation session, and make sure your experiences with the RSRT are heard.”
Melham says he is looking towards the political parties to confirm that they will “not re-establish the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal, or any similar price-fixing mechanism.”
“The trucking industry’s safety record has improved dramatically,” he says.
“The rate of fatal articulated truck crashes fell by 80 per cent between 1982 and 2015, despite the enormous growth in the number of trucks on the road.”
Rather than an RSRO, the ATA chief wants parties to “commit to practical safety measures to help everyone share the road safely, such as mandating truck and trailer stability control.”
The Adelaide session will be located at The Parks Recreation & Sports Centre, 46 Cowan Street, Angle Park, Adelaide.
The Perth consultation will be the following day at the Midland Sports Complex (Tennis/Bowls Club), Lot 21 Patterson Drive, Middle Swan, Perth.
For all sessions, people must register their interest. You can do that here.