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Future industry leaders descend on Parliament House

Young industry talent lobbies politicians on industry issues

 

The 2019 Daimler Truck and Bus Future Leaders’ Forum has been in full swing; its latest leg seeing delegates travelling to Canberra to discuss key industry issues in lobbying meetings with Australian politicians.

The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) reports participants met with government, opposition and minor-party senators at Parliament House in Canberra, including a formal lunch with senator Jim Molan, and sitting in on Senate question time.

Key discussions comprised driver training and attraction, advanced braking and liquid fuel emergency planning, with the following solutions proposed:

• autonomous emergency braking (AEBS) be mandated for new heavy vehicles.

• truck driver licensing be upgraded as part of an industry-wide effort to tackle driver shortage. Research indicates a reasonable increase in licensing requirements would make trucking more attractive as a skilled occupation.

• fuel emergency legislation be amended to ensure trucking businesses are not sued for prioritising essential deliveries during a fuel shortage.

 

“These issues are important to every member of the Australian trucking industry, and the ATA is proud to work with such promising participants who demonstrate a great passion and commitment,” ATA chair Geoff Crouch says.

“Our industry is constantly changing and it’s important we equip the next generation of leaders with the skills and knowledge they need to ensure the future of the trucking industry remains sustainable and viable.”

As the forum will comprise a leadership project focused on an industry issue, to be presented at Trucking Australia 2019, the lobbying meetings provided an opportunity to help form solutions to issues that may form participants’ respective projects.

Sessions also include developmental workshops delivered by Australian National University School of Politics and International Relations head Andrew Banfield; journalist Anne Fulwood and Wisdom Learning CEO Rod Hattch.

Crouch notes the assistance of ATA member associations throughout the forum.

“It is wonderful to have such high engagement from our member associations in developing leaders,” he says.

“It is clear to see each participant represents their employer and member organisation with pride.”

 

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