DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TO RESIGN
The Hon Barnaby Joyce MP has announced that he will resign as Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Federal National Party and go to the back bench.
I am sure that you will read all about this in numerous other sources over the coming days, but from the ALRTA perspective, this will also mean that a new Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport will soon be appointed.
Stay tuned.
ALRTA SEEKS CHANGES TO NVD
ALRTA has written to Meat and Livestock Australia subsidiary ‘Integrity Systems Company Limited’ proposing important changes to the information included on NVDs to enable chain parties to meet the requirements of the Australian Animal Welfare Land Transport Standards and Guidelines (Land Transport Standards).
Throughout the Land Standards, various sections make it clear that all ‘persons in charge’ in the livestock supply chain share responsibility for ensuring that appropriate feed and water curfews are applied prior to transport, and that relevant information is communicated to ensure that maximum time off water limits are not exceeded.
Successful management of total time off feed or water is only possible when the consignor, transporter and consignee all have access to reliable information. The current version of the PigPass NVD already caters for such information to be recorded.
Given that a Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) NVD is required for all movements of cattle, goats, sheep and lambs (including property to property, through saleyards, direct to processors, feedlots and the live export trade), this declaration is the obvious place to include curfew information for these species.
While the ALRTA acknowledges that the current NVD for Sheep and Lambs does already record ‘Hours off feed and water before transporting’, this current format is not sufficient.
Firstly, it does not separate feed and water, and secondly, chain parties cannot account for any delays that may have occurred during loading, transport or unloading when attempting to calculate total time off feed and water over a journey.
The ALRTA has recommended that all LPA NVDs adopt the same format for recording feed and water curfews as the equivalent PigPass NVD.
MEETING NOTICE: ALRTA NATIONAL COUNCIL
Members are advised that the ALRTA will be holding a Council meeting on Saturday, 24 March 2018. Details are:
Start: 8:00am
Close: 1:00pm
Location: Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbor
For more information please contact the ALRTA Secretariat.
ATA COUNCIL
The ATA Council held the first meeting of 2018 in Canberra this week. The livestock and rural sector had strong representation at the meeting via:
- ATA Vice Chair – David Smith (LRTASA);
- Small Fleet Representative – Lynley Miners (LBRCA);
- Owner Driver Representative – John Beer (LRTAV); and
- ALRTA Executive Director – Mathew Munro.
Photo (L-R): John Beer, David Smith & Lynley Miners.
It is only early in 2018 but already there are multiple highly charged issues on the agenda.
The recent spike in fatalities involving trucks in NSW has provoked an enormous level of discussion across industry, government and the community. The ATA Council meeting was no exception with plenty of opinions on causes and solutions expressed.
The CEO of the NHVR, Sal Petroccitto, addressed the ATA Council and was involved in robust discussions about the proposed framework for recognising EWDs as a voluntary alternative to a written work diary. It is fair to say that there are polarised opinions on this issue as well.
The meeting also considered charging reform, the draft report on national supply chain priorities and the draft Master Code of Practice.
All in all, this was one of most important meetings of the ATA Council since the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal crisis.
ANIMAL WELFARE COMMITTEE
The ALRTA National Animal Welfare Committee met via teleconference to discuss progress on our four major projects plus several other issues such as working dogs, RSPCA approved farming standards and saleyard conditions. Here is a brief update on our major projects:
- National Ramp Standards: In response to our letter proposing to establish a national standard, we have received written support from key stakeholders representing equipment suppliers, supply chain parties, community and government. We have now submitted a formal application to Standards Australia and hope to see work commence in 2018.
- User-Pay PAL Frame Trial: A large processor has agreed to host the trial. We have inspected the site, agreed an action plan, locked in timeframes and paid a deposit to manufacture and deliver a ProWay Pivot Access Landing Frame to the site. We look forward to revealing to site location soon.
- Roadside Effluent Disposal: ALRTA submitted a grant application to the Australian Government Building Better Regions Fund in December 2017 which has now been accepted and will progress to merits review. This week we made a similar application under the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative 2018-19.
Code of Practice: ALRTA formally commenced development of an industry code of practice for effluent management last week. Next week we will meet with the NHVR and the Project Manager for the industry Master Code which is currently under development. Member consultation will commence at the joint ALRTA-LBRCA State-National Conference in Coffs Harbor on 23 March 2018. Why not register to attend and have your say?
AUSTROADS FREIGHT TASK FORCE
ALRTA attended a meeting of the AustRoads Freight Taskforce in Canberra.
Austroads is the peak organisation of Australasian road transport and traffic agencies. Austroads members are collectively responsible for the management of over 900,000 kilometres of roads valued at more than $200 billion representing the single largest community asset in Australia and New Zealand.
The various members of Austroads are working on a wide variety of projects which are relevant to the livestock and rural sector including:
- Community Service Obligations Framework for the Roads Sector
- National Guidelines on Rest Areas for Heavy Vehicles
- Local Roads and High Productivity Freight Vehicles Access
- Operations of Automated Heavy Vehicles in Remote and Regional Areas
The meeting was a good opportunity to have input into the scope and direction of these projects so that they better meet the needs of industry and reflect the ‘real world’ operating environment.
ENTER NOW! BP NATIONAL CONFERENCE PROMOTION: WIN $500 FUEL CARD
The ALRTA/LBRCA National Conference takes place over 23-24 March 2018 in Coffs Harbour.
This is your chance to attend Australia’s prime livestock and rural transporters conference. BP Australia wants you to get involved and are providing you with $500 worth of BP Fuel Vouchers to get you there. BP are supporting two ambassadorial spots for each member state to ensure that each state has the opportunity to attend and be heard.
To apply to be a conference ambassador, simply tell us in 25 words or less why you want to come to the conference.
Send your application to sponsors@alrta.org.au by 28 February 2018.
For more information about the conference please click here: http://lbrca.org.au/events/
Our Platinum Partner, BP is a long-time supporter of our industry and have played a critical role in helping us achieve ‘on the ground’ outcomes for our members. Please visit https://www.bp.com/en_au/australia.html to find out more about BP.