ALRTA News – 8 September 2017

CONSULTATION ON HV PERSONAL USE EXEMPTION

ALRTA welcomes the announcement that NHVR has commenced formal consultation on a proposed national work and rest exemption to allow limited personal use of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle.

ALRTA National President Kevin Keenan said that a national exemption would harmonise state laws and result in better quality rest for drivers.

“Short-distance drivers can usually make it home to access sleeping quarters, meals or washing facilities, as well as their own private vehicle for personal use.   In contrast, long-distance drivers are often forced to rest at inhospitable locations with no amenities whatsoever,” said President Keenan.

“Uninterrupted sleep, eating well and keeping clean are fundamental to maintaining alertness and vehicle control.  It is also important to relieve boredom during longer breaks in isolated locations.

“In NSW, drivers are allowed up to one hour personal use of a heavy vehicle during a 24hr break to undertake tasks such as cleaning, refuelling or driving for non-work related purposes.

“While ALRTA strongly supports the principle underpinning this limited exemption, it is just as important to promote better rest quality during the working week, and of course NSW is not the only location where such flexibility would be beneficial.

“A national work and rest exemption would ensure a consistent approach across all Heavy Vehicle National Law jurisdictions and promote better quality rest for long-distance drivers,” he said.

The ALRTA raised this issue during a meeting of the NHVR Livestock and Rural Transporters Industry Operation Group in September 2016 and subsequently wrote to NHVR formally requesting that the matter be included on the NHVR’s work program for 2017.

The NHVR has proposed that the national exemption would apply during the 24 hour rest break and at the end of a shift (prior to a major rest break).  Allowable activities would include: accessing personal effects, cleaning, refuelling or driving for personal reasons.

Consultation is open until 30 September 2017.  For more information click here.

REASONABLE TRAVEL ALLOWANCE

In response to pressure applied by the ATA and member associations, the ATO has formally proposed options to address industry concerns about the lack of consultation on Taxation Determination TD 2017/19 which effectively reduced amount that employee truck drivers can claim per day in travel expenses (excluding accommodation) without detailed receipts, from $97.40 to just $55.30.

ALRTA has consulted with affected members and participated in a meeting of the ATA Economics Committee to consider the proposal.  We expect to bring you some good news on this issue in the near future.

NATIONAL HARMONISATION PROGRAM

NHVR has commenced consultation on proposals to harmonise several national notices relating to:

  1. National HML Declaration
  2. Class 2 B-double Notice
  3. Class 2 Road Train Notice
  4. Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle and Combination Notice

The aim of the proposals is to minimise the compliance burden by reducing duplication and inconsistencies across state and territory borders.  Ideally, your vehicle should be able to enter a stated network type (e.g. B-double) in South Australia and then travel through each state all the way to the top of Queensland under the exact same conditions.

ALRTA is currently considering the proposal and is preparing a submission.  If you would like to discuss the proposals, please contact the ALRTA office.

MANDATORY REPORTING OF FUEL STATS

The Australian Parliament has passed the Petroleum and Other Fuels Reporting Bill 2017 which will require mandatory reporting of selected fuel data from 1 January 2018.

The new rules will assist the Australian Government monitor fuel security to prepare for, and support, an emergency response if supply is disrupted.

Entities that produce, refine or sell fuel (or store fuel to support these activities) will be required to report stock levels no later than 15 days after the end of each month.

NOMINATION TO ASEL REVIEW COMMITTEE

ALRTA has formally nominated Chair of the ALRTA National Animal Welfare Committee, John Beer, as the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for the second review of the Australian Standards for of the Export of Livestock (ASEL).

The TAC will comprise:

  • An independent Chair;
  • Animal health and welfare experts;
  • Standards development/regulatory expert; and
  • Livestock export industry expert.

The review is expected to take at least two years.

FEDERAL NATIONALS CONFERENCE

The ALRTA President and Executive Director will be attending the Federal Nationals Conference in Canberra held Friday, 8 Sept – Sunday, 10 Sept.  We have arranged meetings with several party members including the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Senator the Hon Fiona Nash.   More news next week.

AWARD NOMINATIONS

Nominations are now open for the 2017 Craig Roseneder Award, which recognises technical and maintenance excellence in the trucking industry.

Sponsored by Castrol Vecton, the award is one of the prestigious National Trucking Industry Awards and celebrates the men and women who work behind the scenes in the trucking industry’s workshops.

The award is open to individuals with a minimum five years’ experience working full time in the Australian trucking industry for a trucking company, supplier or commercial workshop as a workshop manager, mechanic, or support person within the maintenance field for heavy vehicles.

This year’s award recipient will receive a fully paid trip to Atlanta, Georgia, to attend the US Technology and Maintenance Council’s 2018 Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition. This includes return airfares to the USA, full conference registration, five nights premium conference accommodation, partners’ program registration (if applicable) and AUD $1500 spending money.

The recipient will also receive complimentary registration to the 2018 ATA/ARTSA Technical and Maintenance Conference.

Last year’s award winner, Cade Robinson, said, “I was extremely honoured to be selected for the award. Attending the TMC conference in the US was an educational, memorable and humbling experience, and it inspired me to expand my knowledge and explore even more opportunities within this industry.”

Nominations must be received by Friday 22 September. Self-nominations will not be accepted.

The award will be presented at the Castrol Vecton Awards Dinner on Tuesday 17 October as part of the ATA/ARTSA 2017 Technical and Maintenance Conference (TMC2017).

For more information on the Craig Roseneder Award, and to register a nomination, click here.

View the TMC2017 program and register for TMC2017 now.

 

LTAT TO HOST AUCTION AT THEIR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – 15 SEPTEMBER 2017

Members are advised that the LTAT will be holding an AGM on Friday 15 September 2017.

Annual General Meeting Commences: 2:00pm
Location: Blenheim Inn Hotel, 16 Marlborough St, Longford TAS

The auction will take place during the meeting. Bidding is open to everyone and if you are not present at the AGM, you can submit your bid prior to the auction by phoning LTAT on 0438 363 160.

Items for Auction

  • 2 x steer Tyres Goodyear 5100/5200 (295/80R22-5)
  • 1 x set of 4×4 Wrangler tyres
  • 1 x iPad 9.7 inch 128GB Wi-Fi + Cellular

All auction items have been kindly donated by our national sponsor Beaurepaires. Thank you to Beurepaires for their continued support.

For more information please contact the LTAT Secretariat ltat@bigpond.com or 0438 363 160

MEETING NOTICE: ALRTA NATIONAL COUNCIL

Members are advised that the ALRTA will be holding a Council meeting on Friday, 3 November 2017.  Details are:

Start: 8:30pm
Close: 3:00pm
Location: ATA Conference Room, Minter Ellison Building, Canberra.

For more information please contact the ALRTA Secretariat.