REGISTRATIONS OPEN: LTAT CONFERENCE

The Livestock Transporters Association of Tasmania (LTAT) Conference on Saturday 26 May 2018 in Hobart will tackle some of the biggest issues livestock carriers are facing in the island state.

What: Livestock Transporters Association of Tasmania (LTAT) Conference
When: Saturday, 26 May 2018
Where: RACV/RACT Apartment Hotel, Hobart

LTAT President, Spencer Griggs, said that the conference is a great opportunity for members and supply chain parties to better understand current or potential legislative changes and have their say on the policies that will shape the future of the industry.

“Having the privilege of being the only Australian State surrounded by a moat, biosecurity is always a key consideration in our industry.   At the conference, we will have an in-depth look into biosecurity, covering the state biosecurity plan, effluent management and other important matters for our members to be aware of.

“The conference will also cover the upcoming transition to NHVR managed roadside enforcement. This is your opportunity to get a heads up on how this will affect operators in Tasmania and what you can do now to prepare.

“Other topics such as animal welfare, driver safety, road access and market dynamics will also be explored in detail.  We have invited representatives from government and industry to make short presentations and then participate in Q&A sessions so that our entire audience can participate in the conversation.

“During the gala dinner following the conference sessions, attendees will be treated to a keynote address by World Champion Axeman and Tasmanian living legend, David Foster OAM.  The dinner is a great chance to socialise in a less formal environment and reflect on learnings during the day.”

Registrations are now open – so be sure to secure your place as soon as possible – preferably before 17 May 2018.

Register for the conference here: 2018 LTAT Conference Registration Form

More Information: https://alrta.org.au/about/events/

Schedule
8:00am – 12:00pm – ALRTA National Council
12:00pm – 5:00pm – Conference Sessions
5:00pm – 6:00pm – LTAT AGM
6:45pm – 11:00pm – Conference Gala Dinner

Keep checking our web page for more information including a detailed program over the coming weeks.

 

LABOR TO REINSTATE ROAD SAFETY REMUNERATION TRIBUNAL

Federal Labor Spokesperson for Workplace Relations, the Hon. Brendan O’Connor MP, has reaffirmed that an elected ALP Government would reinstate the principles of the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT).

According to reports in The Weekend Australian Mr O’Connor believes there is support from both unions and employers to reinstate the RSRT.  Labor is already talking with the TWU about whether to set it up as a stand-alone body or as a division within the Fair Work Commission.

ALRTA National President, Kevin Keenan, said that the operation and decisions of the former RSRT had threatened the livelihoods of owner drivers and it could not be revived in its previous form without similar consequences.

“The RSRT mandated minimum rates for owner drivers that did not apply to companies using employee drivers.  In many cases, owner drivers immediately became uncompetitive and suffered significant income loss.

“We also cannot forget that the RSRT compelled ‘mum and dad’ owner drivers to give evidence during an Easter holiday period in a court-like environment under the threat of imprisonment.   The RSRT then ignored their testimony, along with over 800 written submissions, and allowed the anti-competitive rates to come into force.

“During the RSRT hearings, it was readily apparent that unions and big transport companies were behind the push to impose mandatory minimum rates on smaller owner drivers.  Why? Because this would drive owner drivers out of the market and into a unionised workforce.

“Once again, it seems that Labor is asking the unions and big employers to design an industrial system for owner drivers with whom they compete.

“If the ALP is resigned to reinstating the RSRT, then the most important groups to consult with should be the very entities that will be regulated – owner drivers.  If mandatory minimum rates were a good thing then owner drivers would be the first to support it.

“ALRTA membership comprises more then 70% owner drivers and we will make our own approach to the ALP to express our view on this critical issue.”

 

NATIONAL CHARGING PILOT

The Australian Government has now called for tenders for work on the first stage of the National Heavy Vehicle Charging Pilot—an important step toward establishing a fairer, more efficient national heavy vehicle user charging system.

Today vehicles 4.5 tonnes and above, which make up about 3 per cent of all vehicles on the road, pay a heavy vehicle user charge—which is collected through the fuel excise system and through state motor vehicle registration charges.

But the Australian Government and state and territory governments have committed to reform the current heavy vehicle user charging system—and part of that reform process will be a series of trials and pilots to test alternative approaches.

“The National Heavy Vehicle User Pilot will lay a foundation for later on-road trials—which will test if we could replace the existing heavy vehicle user charge with a direct user-pays charging system,” Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities Paul Fletcher said.

“Such a system could improve freight efficiency—feeding through to lower prices for consumers and a substantial productivity dividend for the national economy, estimated at between $6.5bn and $13.3bn over twenty years.

“But to get these benefits we need a system which works well for the heavy vehicle industry.  This is why the Australian Government is keen to work with industry to design and run heavy vehicle charging trials.

“Last month I met with a number of key members of the industry to discuss heavy vehicle road reform and how we could progress trials.

“The participants clearly indicated they want to understand the impact a potential new charging system could have on their businesses and customers.

“The research and planning work to be undertaken during Stage 1 of the National Pilot will provide some of the answers and inform how the on-road stages of the National Pilot can best be implemented.

“I have seen first-hand in Oregon and California the important role well-designed road user charging trials play in engaging users in the reform process.”

Participation in the National Heavy Vehicle Charging Pilot will be voluntary and the first two stages will not involve ‘real money’ charges.

For more information on the National Heavy Vehicle Charging Pilot, please visit: infrastructure.gov.au/roads/heavy/charging-trials/index.aspx.

To view the tender documentation for Stage 1 of the National Heavy Vehicle Charging Pilot, please visit: www.tenders.gov.au/?event=public.atm.show&ATMUUID=9C3AC19E-B717-B861-DF787931B5FE32D6

 

NHVR INDUSTRY REFERENCE FORUM

The ALRTA attended the NHVR Industry Reference Forum (IRF) in Brisbane this week.  The IRF is the highest-level industry consultation group with NHVR comprising the CEOs of all major national associations.

The agenda included:

• An update on the review of industry accreditation schemes;
• National registration database;
• Permits;
• Risk-based safety enforcement; and
• Safety management systems.

While the discussions were confidential, ALRTA was able to provide input on behalf of our membership and we will bring you more news on these issues as soon as we are able.

 

REGISTRATIONS OPEN: LRTAQ CONFERENCE

Registrations are now open for the 2018 LRTAQ Annual Conference to be held 1-3 June 2018 in Charters Towers, Queensland.

The event includes a welcome reception, transport forum, community breakfast, AGM, partners program and the legendary Bull Carter’s Ball.  There will even be pig racing (including a Calcutta) and a classic car display!

Click here for more information.