Livestock body ‘satisfied’ coverage of mandatory minimum rates will remain unchanged in regional NSW
The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) is reminding livestock and rural carriers that a majority of them will continue to remain unaffected by the recent changes to the NSW General Carriers Contract Determination (GCCD).
Noting that the varied determination is a step towards increased regulation in the industry, the livestock body says in a statement to its members that it is “satisfied” with the decision.
“While these changes are concerning from the perspective of a slow regulatory creep towards greater regulation of owner drivers including mandatory minimum rates, it is important to note that the vast majority of ALRTA member carriers will remain exempt from the GCCD if they do any of the following:
- transport livestock
- transport primary produce to or from land used for primary production
- are engaged by a primary producer
- use a specified specialist vehicle (e.g. a tipper or a tanker)
- are a ‘common carrier’ (i.e. undertakes work for any hirer) rather than a ‘contract carrier’ (i.e. undertakes work for a single hirer).”
ALRTA also warns that “owner drivers undertaking exclusive work for a principle contractor that does not involve a specialist vehicle or carriage to or from a place of primary production may be affected by the GCCD decision”.
The livestock body had earlier submitted its statement with regards to the proposed changes to GCCD obligations that included setting up fixed minimum rates for carriage contracts across NSW.
“On behalf of LBRCA and our members in other states, ALRTA provided a detailed statement to the NSW Industrial Relations Commission and has made representations to the NSW Premier, Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight and Minister for Industrial Relations strongly opposing broad scale application of mandatory minimum rates for owner drivers in NSW,” the statement notes.
“Overall, the ALRTA is satisfied that rural carriers will remain exempt from the GCCD and that the coverage of mandatory minimum rates will remain unchanged in regional NSW.”