FEDERAL NATIONALS CONFERENCE
Last weekend, the ALRTA President and Executive Director attended the Federal Nationals Conference in Canberra. While the ALRTA is, and always will be, a staunchly apolitical association the Conference was an excellent opportunity to launch our Federal Campaign to establish managed roadside effluent disposal facilities on key livestock routes around Australia.
There are two parts to our effluent infrastructure strategy:
- Short-Term: Seek grant funding to establish a demonstration site on a high priority route in South East Queensland;
- Long-term: Modify the road service level standard on key livestock routes to require road managers to consider the need for disposal sites and construct and maintain these as required.
Over the three days of the Conference, we discussed effluent and other rural transport issues with:
- The Hon. Darren Chester MP – Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
- Senator the Hon. Fiona Nash – Minister for Regional Development
- Adviser to the Hon. Barnaby Joyce MP – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture
- The Hon. Luke Hartsuyker MP – Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister
- The Hon. David Gillespie MP – Assistant Minister for Health
- The Hon. Keith Pitt MP – Assistant Minister for Trade
- Senator John Williams
- Senator Mat Canavan
- Senator Barry O’Sullivan
- Michelle Landry MP
- David Littleproud MP
- Kevin Hogan MP
- Llew O’Brien MP
We believe that there is now broad support to establish roadside effluent disposal facilities within this influential rural oriented political party. There is a lot more work still to do at the Federal, State and Local levels but we are off to good start.
NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY STRATEGY
The Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Darren Chester, has appointed two independent co-chairs to assist an Inquiry into improving the effectiveness of the National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020.
The co-chairs of the Inquiry are Associate Professor Jeremy Woolley, Director of the Centre for Automotive Safety Research at the University of Adelaide, and Dr John Crozier, Chair of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons’ Trauma Committee.
The Inquiry will develop a blueprint for reducing deaths and trauma (which have generally fallen over the period of the safety strategy but risen in some states in recent years) and inform future road safety investment decisions.
What do you think is the biggest safety issue on our roads? Make a short submission here.
The Inquiry will report to government in early 2018.
ANIMAL WELFARE ACCREDITATION
This week the ALRTA Executive Director, Mathew Munro, and TruckSafe Manager, Justin Fleming met with representatives from the Red Meat Advisory Council and Australian Pork Limited to invite participation in the review of the TruckSafe: Animal Welfare Module (formally known as TruckCare).
The next review workshop will be held in Canberra on 2 November 2017. Please contact the ALRTA Secretariat for more information.
Trucksafe Manager: Justin Fleming
SMITH HAULAGE WINS NATIONAL AWARD
The ALRTA congratulates LRTASA member D&S Smith Haulage Pty Ltd on being announced as the Woolworths Group National Carrier of the Year in the small fleet category.
With more than 6,000 heavy vehicle movements required each day to supply Woolworths Group’s network of supermarkets, Metro stores and liquor outlets, Woolworths relies on its carrier partners to ensure safe and efficient transport on Australian roads.
The National Carrier of the Year Awards recognise carriers that have delivered outstanding performance in safety, compliance and service. Operating from Tumby Bay in SA and with a depot in Adelaide, D&S Smith Haulage has been recognised as the best of the best in 2017.
MARTINS TRUCKS ON DISPLAY AT NHVR
All too often we hear complaints that the staff at road authorities are locked away in ivory towers in the capital cities and wouldn’t know a truck if it ran over them.
Well, Martins Group of Companies is aiming to change that this week by bringing truck and trailer combinations right to the NHVR’s front door in Brisbane.
The vehicles will be on display all day today with with Martins’ staff on hand (including ALRTA Vice President, Graeme Hoare) to give the NHVR staff a tour.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Members are reminded that consultation is currently open on:
Personal Use of a Fatigue Related Heavy Vehicle
National HML Declaration
Class 2 B-double Notice
Class 2 Road Train Notice
Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle and Combination Notice
National Road Safety Strategy
PBS Marketplace Review