ALRTA News – 16 November 2018

 

 

 

 

 

NTI IS AUSTRALIA’S NUMBER 1 TRUCK INSURER
Proudly supporting the voice of industry and National Platinum Partner of the ALRTA.

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REGIONAL ROAD-SHARING CAMPAIGN 

A new road safety initiative designed to improve regional road sharing between large agricultural vehicles and other road-users is being rolled out to coincide with the up-coming summer harvest period.

The National Farmers Federation ‘Common Roads, Common Sense’ campaign is being funded by $250,000 from the NHVR Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative program, with support from the Federal Liberal and Nationals’ Government.

An educational message will be delivered through a series of radio, on-line and video clips targeting regional road users throughout the nation.

More information

NTC INDUSTRY ADVISORY GROUP

LRTAV President Graham Howell and ALRTA Executive Director Mathew Munro attended and NTC Industry Advisory Group meeting in Melbourne this week.


Photo: Acting NTC CEO, Dr Geoff Allen, speaks to the Industry Advisory Group. 

Key discussed included:

  • HVNL Review: The four priority areas agreed by Ministers are access, fatigue, accreditation and technology. Issues papers will be issued in January 2019 and consultation will be undertaken in multiple formats including in regional areas.
  • Driver distraction: An issues paper will be released by NTC in November 2018 with a discussion paper to follow in March 2019.  While research indicates that using a mobile phone while driving can increase crash risk by 12x, 64% of drivers admit to doing so regularly!
  • Automated Vehicles: Ministers have agreed to develop a purposed built law.  Key issues relate to ‘who is responsible’ in the event of a crash and readiness of a ‘fall back driver’ who must still be licenced, attentive and unimpaired.

It is going to be a busy start to 2019.

ALRTA WRITES TO MINISTER BUCHHOLZ

ALRTA has written to the Hon Scott Buchholz MP, Assistant Minister for Roads and Transport, outlining our views on the eligibility criteria of the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program and the current direction of Land Transport Market Reform.  We will meet with Minister Buchholz to discuss these issues in more detail before the end of 2018.

HEAVY VEHICLE SAFETY INITIATIVE

The Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative program supports implementable, value-for-money projects that deliver tangible improvements to heavy vehicle safety.  It is administered by the NHVR on behalf of the Commonwealth Government.  The first three rounds of the program have seen $11.61 million invested in 32 projects to make Australia’s roads safer for all users.

The NHVR is now calling for applications for round 4 of the program, for which $3.92 million of funding is available.

Projects must be started in the 2019–20 financial year and completed by 30 June 2022.

Should you wish to lodge an application please refer to the submission guidelines and complete a submission form.

Submissions close on Friday 22 February 2019.

REVIEW TO IDENTIFY WORST PAYERS

A review of payment times has been announced, following reports that Australia’s payment times are the worst in the world, with invoices paid on average 26.4 days late.

Announced this week by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO), Kate Carnell, the review will provide advice on the effect these payment practices are having on small and family businesses.

To give the ASBFEO a better understanding of the state-of-play on payment times and practices in Australia, small and family businesses are encouraged to take part in a five-minute survey.

The ATA and ALRTA have previously called on the Government to develop a mandatory code under the Competition and Consumer Act for small trucking businesses. The code would cover payment terms and related issues, including a ban on unfair set offs and ‘pay when paid’ arrangements.

Take the survey

COSBOA WINS FOR SMALL BUSINESS

ALRTA is a member of the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia (COSBOA).  We are pleased to inform you that COSBOA worked closely with the Morrison Government to score major wins on:

Click above to read more!

SEARCH FOR NTC CEO COMMENCES

Following the departure of former CEO Paul Retter and a review of the NTC by Ministers last week, the NTC Chair Carolyn Walsh, has announced that the search for a new NTC CEO has commenced.   Dr Geoff Allen will remain Acting CEO during the recruiting period.

WORK ZONE SAFETY: GRAFTON TO BALLINA

Have you driven the Pacific Highway between Grafton and Ballina in the past 4 weeks?  If so, please take a minute to complete a NSW RMS survey about driver perceptions, opinions and self-reported behaviour around work zone safety initiatives being trialled in the area during the road upgrade.

It takes about 20min and will put you in the running for a $20 EFTPOS card.

Take the survey

FUTURE LEADERS VISIT CANBERRA

Participants in the 2019 Daimler Truck and Bus Future Leaders’ Forum have discussed key industry issues in lobbying meetings with Australian politicians.


Photo: Future Leaders Angela Mumma (Stockmaster) and Athol Carter (Frasers Livestock Transport) visit ALRTA. 

The Daimler Future Leaders have met with Government, Opposition and minor party senators at Parliament House in Canberra, raising the importance of driver training and attraction, advanced braking and liquid fuel emergency planning.

“These issues are important to every member of the Australian trucking industry, and the ATA is proud to work with such promising participants who demonstrate a great passion and commitment,” ATA Chair Geoff Crouch said today.

“Our time at Parliament House saw the Daimler Future Leaders sit in on Senate Question Time, after a formal lunch with Senator Jim Molan and lobbying meetings with members of the coalition and opposition parties,” he said.

The meetings focused on solutions to the three key issues:

  • That autonomous emergency braking (AEBS) be mandated for new heavy vehicles.
  •  That truck driver licensing be upgraded as part of an industry-wide effort to tackle the driver shortage. Research indicates a reasonable increase in licensing requirements would make trucking more attractive as a skilled occupation.
  • That fuel emergency legislation be amended to ensure trucking businesses are not sued for prioritising essential deliveries during a fuel shortage.

“Our industry is constantly changing and it’s important we equip the next generation of leaders with the skills and knowledge they need to ensure the future of the trucking industry remains sustainable and viable,” Mr Crouch said.

As part of the Forum, participants will each undertake a leadership project focused on an industry issue, with many developing potential solutions to the key items discussed in the lobbying meetings which will then be presented at Trucking Australia 2019.

During the Forum, participants are taking part in developmental workshops delivered by Head of the School of Politics and International Relations at the Australian National University, Dr Andrew Banfield, well-known journalist and communications expert Anne Fulwood, and CEO of Wisdom Learning, Rod Hattch.

“Daimler is thrilled to be part of such an invaluable program that allows participants to work so closely with decision-makers and gain valuable industry insight from expert mentors,” President and CEO of Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific Daniel Whitehead said.

ATA Chair Geoff Crouch also noted the important role ATA member associations have played in the Forum’s success.

“It is wonderful to have such high engagement from our member associations in developing leaders. It is clear to see each participant represents their employer and member organisation with pride,” Mr Crouch said.

The 2019 Daimler Truck and Bus Future Leaders Forum welcomes representatives from Daimler Truck and Bus, ATA member associations and the ATA’s safety accreditation scheme TruckSafe.

View more information and meet the Daimler Future Leaders