Trucking focused politician Senator Glenn Sterle has revealed one company in particular is at the top of his hit list as he prepares to meet with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to discuss sham contracting.
In a chat with OwnerDriver, Sterle says he has one “rather large” operator on his hit list as he enters a meeting with the ATO to try and put a stop to the dangerous shadow economy practice.
“We’re meeting with the lead of the ATO and are armed with examples of employers online requesting employees to come and drive their trucks, but that they must have an ABN,” Sterle told OwnerDriver.
“The sham contracting issue has been brought to a head – I’ve heard from drivers and associations that a number of good companies have shut their doors due to this problem.
“I can’t imagine how single owner drivers or small fleets can compete with the criminals that carry out this sham contracting.”
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Sterle pointed to Operation Topaz’s recent compliance blitz on agriculture and labour hire industries in Gatton, Queensland, as an example of what he wants to see happen in Australia’s trucking industry to combat the practice.
Operation Topaz saw the ATO complete audits on 12 employers in the sector, with nine fund to be non-compliant with workplace laws, leading to liabilities of more than $25 million being raised.
Sterle is also urging drivers or employees to come forward if they know any companies carrying out sham contracting.
“We need drivers to come forward – I promise to black out their names, but the industry must combine to put a stop to this,” he says.
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