ALRTA News – 5 July 2019

ALRTA recommend Byrne Trailers

A proud family owned and operated business, Byrne Trailers is recognised as the leading manufacturer of specialised Livestock and Bulk Cargo Transport Equipment in Australia.

To learn more about Byrne Stainless Steel Trailers and check out their latest products please visit: https://byrnetrailers.com.au/

INCITEMENT TO TRESPASS BILL

The Australian Government has introduced the Criminal Code Amendment (Agricultural Protection) Bill 2019 into Federal Parliament to establish two new offences relating to the incitement of trespass or property offences on agricultural land.
 
The first offence would apply where a person uses a carriage service to transmit, make available, publish or otherwise distribute material with the intent to incite another person to trespass on agricultural land. This offence would require that the person is reckless as to whether the other person’s trespass or related conduct could cause detriment to a primary production business being carried on on the land.  A person found guilty of this offence could face up to 12 months’ imprisonment.
 
The second offence would apply where a person uses a carriage service to transmit, make available, publish or otherwise distribute material with the intent to incite another person to unlawfully damage or destroy property, or commit theft, on agricultural land.  A person found guilty of this offence could face up to five years’ imprisonment, to reflect the more serious nature of the incited conduct.
 
‘Agricultural land’ is a defined term in the Bill and means land used for a primary production business. Primary production business is defined in the Bill, and would include farming businesses, such as chicken farms and piggeries, as well as businesses operating an abattoir or an animal saleyard.
 
The Bill contains exemptions for journalists and those who are making lawful disclosures of information, including whistleblowers.  Under the exemption for journalists, the offences would not apply to material relating to a news report or current affairs report which is in the public interest and is made by a person working in a professional capacity as a journalist.
 
ALRTA is investigating whether there is scope to extend the legislation to vehicles involved in the transportation of livestock or other types of agricultural produce.

PERSONAL TAX CUTS

The Morrison Government’s tax package has been passed by the Senate.  This means that the tax cuts will apply when you lodge your personal tax return for the 2018-19 financial year.  The package will be rolled out in three parts:

  • 2018-19: tax cuts for those earning $21,000 – $126,000 (most Australians).
  • 2022-23: Tax cuts for those earning more than $90,000 (wealthier Australians).
  • 2025-26: Tax cuts for those earning more than $45,000 (up to $200,000 – the wealthiest Australians).

You can use this handy calculator to find out how you will benefit.

CONSULTATION ON AUTOMATED VEHICLES

The National Transport Commission (NTC) today released a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) seeking feedback on the role and regulation of different parties in the safe operation of automated vehicles on Australian roads.
 
The RIS considers the role of manufacturers, repairers, registered owners and others, in supporting the safety of automated vehicles on Australian roads. It also considers the legal arrangements needed to support their safe operation.
 
For more information click here.

RED MEAT PEAK BODY RECOMMENDED

The Red Meat Advisory Council has released a white paper recommending consolidation across the red meat sector to form three unified bodies operating under a single strategic plan and memorandum of understanding, including:

  • Red Meat Australia – advocacy, marketing, levy collection, research direction.
  • A single research body – consolidating the activities on MLA, AMPC and LiveCorp.
  • A single integrity forum – setting standards across the industry.

 Affected industry bodies are now considering the recommendations.

TAXABLE PAYMENTS REPORTING SYSTEM

The Australian Government has extended the Taxable Payment Reporting System (TPRS) to the road freight sector from 1 July 2019.  The TPRS requires businesses to report payments made to contractors to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).  Failure to report to the ATO will result in payments not being deductable for taxation purposes.
 
The TPRS is designed to combat the black economy. It was first applied to the building and construction industry and now also applies to the courier, cleaning, security and information technology sectors.
 
For more information click here.

FUEL TAX CHANGES

The next indexation of fuel tax credit rates will occur on 5 August 2019.
 
Indexation will occur shortly after the ABS releases CPI indexation on 31 July 2019.
 
You can monitor the ATO rate changes page here.

ALPA CEO ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

CEO of the Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association (ALPA), Andy Madigan, has announced that he will retire at the end of October 2019, after the ALPA AGM.
 
Madigan has been in the role for more than 15 years and is highly respected across the industry. He has been involved with ALRTA on many issues over the years and is currently a member of the ALRTA Effluent Code of Practice working group.
 
ALRTA wishes Mr Madigan all the best in his retirement years.

NHVR – “WE NEED SPACE TO KEEP YOU SAFE” CAMPAIGN

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has developed a new information campaign to promote safety around heavy vehicles and influence light vehicle drivers’ behaviour when driving around trucks.

The We need space to keep you safe campaign features three videos which provide some insight from a truck driver’s perspective on how they need space to keep road users safe, with tips on avoiding blind spots, leaving space for turning trucks and overtaking safely.

In addition to the videos, there are animations, posters and factsheets to support the campaign, all downloadable from www.weneedspace.com.au.

This is an important safety initiative so please follow NHVR on social media channels on Facebook and Instagram (@nhvrofficial), and Twitter (@nhvr) to keep updated on the campaign.

WHO’S THE UNSUNG HERO IN YOUR WORKSHOP?



Nominations are now open for the 2019 Craig Roseneder Award, recognising technical and maintenance excellence in the workshop.

First awarded in 1998, the Craig Roseneder Award celebrates the professionalism of the hardworking men and women in Australia’s trucking workshops and highlights the amazing calibre of people who work behind the scenes to keep our trucks safe on the road.

The prize? A fully paid trip to the U.S to attend the Technology and Maintenance Council’s 2020 Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition, including $1,500 spending money, flights and accommodation and partners’ program if applicable.

Nominations close on 13 September, with the winner announced at the Australian Trucking Association’s 2019 Technology and Maintenance Conference.

For more info or to nominate someone great, head to www.truck.net.au/CR19

NO NEWSLETTER NEXT WEEK

There will be no ALRTA newsletter next week.  In the meantime you can check out our Facebook page for regular updates. 

There will be no ALRTA newsletter next week.  In the meantime you can check out our Facebook page for regular updates. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

2019 LRTAWA Annual Conference
The 2019 LRTAWA Annual Conference will be held 26-27 July at Abbey Beach Resort, Busselton, WA.  For more information and to register click here.

2019 LRTAV Annual Conference
The 2019 LRTAV Annual Conference will be held 16-17 August at All Seasons, Bendigo, VIC. For more information and to register click here

2020 LBRCA Annual Conference  – Tamworth 6-7 March 
The LBRCA has secured the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Convention Centre (TRECC) for their 2020 Annual Conference on 6-7March 2020.