ALRTA News 22 June 2018

PERSONAL TAX RELIEF ON THE WAY

The Australian Parliament has passed the Turnbull Government’s tax package which will cut personal income taxes by $144b over the next seven years.  The bill bounced back and forth between the House of Representatives and the Senate this week but eventually passed in full with the support of Senate cross-benchers.

If you earn between $50,000 and $100,000 next financial year you will benefit by around $500.  All other taxpayers will benefit too but by a lower amount.

From 2024-25, another set of changes will kick in so that all taxpayers earning between $41,000 and $200,000 will pay the same 32.5 cent marginal tax rate.  This is the more controversial change (and the part that was once rejected by the Senate earlier this week) when higher income earners could benefit by as much as $7,225.  Labour have committed to repealing this part of the law if elected.

LIVE EXPORTS DEBATE DELAYED

The focus on taxation this week has resulted in a further delay on the live export debate.  With only one more sitting week until the winter recess, and five by elections scheduled for 28 July 2018, it appears that debate on live exports will not resume until at least mid-August.

ALRTA has written to key Federal Parliamentarians about live exports this week.  If you have not done so already, now is a good time to have your say.

For more information click here.

COSBOA BUSINESS LEADERS DINNER

The ALRTA Executive Director attended a Business Leaders Dinner in Canberra this week hosted by the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia (COSBOA).   The special guest speaker was the Hon Brendan O’Connor, Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations.


Photo: The Hon Brendan O’Connor

During questions following the address, ALRTA asked why Mr O’Connor’s Office has been consulting with the TWU (employees) and TOLL / Linfox (large employers) about the options for re-establishing the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal when it is actually owner-drivers that would be regulated – not employees or employers.

Mr O’Connor conceded that consultations should include owner-driver representatives and the following day his office contacted ALRTA with an offer to get the process started.

NHVR RELEASES EWD GUIDELINES

The NHVR has released new EWD guidelines for drivers, operators, record keepers and technology providers.   Applications for technology providers to develop EWDs opened on 28 May 2018, but as yet there are no devices approved for use.

For more information and guidelines click here.

CHANGES TO NHVAS TRAINING

From 1 July 2018, new units of competence for fatigue under the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) will start.

In 2017, the NHVR worked with the heavy vehicle industry and Australian Industry Standards to develop new fatigue units of competency for NHVAS participants to effectively manage the risk of fatigue in road transport operations.

According to NHVR’s Fatigue Specialist Andreas Blahous, any previously recognised fatigue management course that was completed prior to 1 July 2018 will still be accepted.

“This means nominated drivers and schedulers who are currently operating under a BFM or AFM accreditation do not need to complete the new units.”

However after 1 July the NHVR will only accept statements of attainment for training in the new fatigue units of competency from Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) approved by the NHVR.

RTOs should apply for NHVR approval now so that their training in the new fatigue units of competency (TLIF0005 and TLIF0006) can be accepted for NHVAS accreditation purposes.

More information, including a list of approved RTOs is available on the NHVR website here.

INFORMATION VIDEO: FIT TO LOAD

Check out the Meat and Livestock Australia video on ‘Fit-to-Load’ here.

LRTASA 2018 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The ALRTA National President and Executive Director attended the LRTASA Annual Conference held at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre over 15-16 June 2016.  Attendance levels were excellent with around 300 delegates at the Saturday gala dinner.


Photo: Minister Stephan Knoll Opens the 2018 LRTASA Annual Conference. 

The Conference was opened by South Australian Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, the Hon Stephan Knoll MP.  Minister Knoll is from regional SA (Barossa) and is committed to continuing the highly successful ‘90 day project’ that has delivered access improvements right around SA.   The Minister’s clear preference is for lower regulation wherever this can be delivered safely.


Photo: The Gala Dinner in Full Swing

There was much discussion about the HVNL review and access arrangements at local processors during the policy sessions.  It is clear that LRTASA members need improvements in access and fatigue arrangements both at the legislative and local facility levels.


Photo: Anyone for Golf?

As always it was an excellent event and ALRTA is already looking forward to working with LRTASA on next year’s combined State-National Conference.

ELECTION RESULTS: LRTASA AGM

The ALRTA congratulates the following office bearers re-elected at the LRTASA AGM on 16 June 2018:

  • President: David Smith
  • Vice President: Scott Quinn
  • Vice President: Adam Pengelly
  • Treasurer/Secretary: Hayley Masson

INVITATION TO JOIN TECHNICAL COUNCIL

The ATA Industry Technical Council (ITC) is a working committee established to enhance the trucking industry’s safety, professionalism and viability by providing technical input and best practice advice to the ATA.

The ITC is seeking expressions of interest from members willing to participate on the ITC.

What does the ITC do?

  • Develop and recommend Technical Advisory Procedures
  • Develop safety alerts
  • Make technical recommendations to the ATA Council
  • Provide a forum for operators and suppliers to work together on technical issues
  • Provide industry representatives to serve on government and Standards Australia technical committees
  • Advance technical excellence in the trucking industry

What is involved?

  • 4 face-to-face or technology meetings each year
  • Developing the Technology and Maintenance Conference program
  • Provide independent advice to inform the development of Technical Advisory Procedures and Safety Alerts
  • Suggesting agenda items
  • Providing technical comment on draft ATA submissions for member approval

For more information click here

UPCOMING EVENTS

LRTAWA Conference
The LRTAWA Annual State Conference will be held 20-21 July 2018 at the Light House Beach Resort in Bunbury.

Click here for more information.

LRTAV Conference
The LRTAV Annual State Conference will be held 17-18 August 2018 in Bendigo.

Click here for more information.