THANK YOU TO ALRTA NATIONAL PARTNER
PACCAR & DEALER INDUSTRY FUND
With undisputable road presence and trusted reliability, there’s no place you’d rather be than behind the wheel of a Kenworth.
AGRIFOOD WORKFORCE SUMMIT
ALRTA Executive Director, Mat Munro, participated in a panel session an Agrifood Workforce Summit in Brisbane this week. Jointly hosted by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), the Summit focussed on three key themes: skills shortages; workplace safety; and workplace relations.
Mr Munro spoke about the Australian Government’s proposal to give new powers to the Fair Work Commission to set minimum standards in the road transport industry. Lively discussions also occurred on topics such as education, training, diversity, driver licencing, injury reporting and employee-like work arrangements.
Keynote addresses were delivered by Federal Minister for Agriculture, Senator the Hon Murray Watt and Leader of The Nationals, David Littleproud MP.
CONSULTATION: EMPLOYEE-LIKE WORK
The Australian Government has released a consultation paper on ‘Employee-like’ forms of work and stronger protections for independent contractors.
There are three distinct parts to the consultation paper, covering:
- Empowering the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to set minimum standards;
- Challenging unfair contracts; and
- Specific considerations for the road transport industry.
All of these areas have relevance for road transport industry.
It is important to note that the concept of a ‘standard’ includes determination of a minimum rate of pay, along with other elements such as defining work time, payment timeframes, leave/breaks, business costs, record keeping, training and dispute resolution.
ALRTA will consult with members in developing a response to the consultation paper.
Formal submissions close at 11:00pm AEST on Friday 12 May 2023.
For more information and to read the consultation paper, click here.
ALRTA JOINS JOBS & SKILLS COUNCIL
ALRTA has accepted an invitation to join a Jobs and Skills Council (JSC) soon to be established by the Australian Government. The JSC aims to strengthen industry leadership and engagement to deliver a VET system that can respond rapidly to changes in Australia’s economy and build a resilient national workforce.
PBS REVIEW – STAGE 2
NHVR has released an options paper for Phase 2 of the ongoing PBS Standards review. Specifically, this paper is considering PBS standards for low speed swept path and tail swing.
Submissions close on Wednesday 31 May 2023.
For more information click here.
ALRTA OUT & ABOUT IN BRISBANE
While in Brisbane for the Agrifood Summit this week, ALRTA Executive Director, Mat Munro, met with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to discuss progress on harmonisation of state-based livestock loading schemes.
ALRTA also met with the team at NTI to discuss a range of issues including promotion of the effluent code, revamping of LivestockASSIST and the development of crisis management communications that could be used in the event of an industry emergency such as an outbreak of foot and mouth disease.
TRUCKING AUSTRALIA – THE REPORT
Trucking Australia – The Report was launched at the Trucking Australia conference recently, sparking many conversations about the future of the industry.
The Report marks a pivotal moment in trucking, with the burden of the last few years, unresolved long-term problems and future technology and transition challenges arriving all at the same time.
If you haven’t read the report, it’s now available on the ATA website. Read it here.
CONSIGNOR CONVICTED OVER TRUCK ROLLOVER
A consignor of timber goods has pleaded guilty to one category two offence under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and was convicted and fined $75,000 at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
The consignor had breached its safety duty by exposing drivers and members of the public to the risk of death or serious injury by failing to comply with section 26G of the HVNL.
The NHVR first charged the Victorian-based company with this safety offence after a truck rolled over onto a pedestrian island crossing. The heavy vehicle was loaded with a 40-foot shipping container carrying 26 tonnes of imported timber plywood products when it rolled in 2019.
The NHVR’s investigation revealed that the consignor had failed to:
- Comply with its own CoR policy.
- Provide overseas suppliers with instructions regarding compliance with Australian safety regulations.
- Require records and photographs of the container’s load and restraint to be provided prior to shipping.
- Advise the driver and operator of the vehicle on how the load was restrained.
Unsecured or inappropriately packed freight in shipping containers transported by road poses a significant safety risk to drivers, workers, other road users and the community.
NHVR Executive Director Statutory Compliance Ray Hassall stated that all parties in the chain should take note of this court outcome.
“This is a significant decision that should be heeded by all duty holders under the HVNL, but particularly those involved in the consignment of imported goods.” Mr Hassall said.
“These obligations are in place to ensure all parties in the CoR manage the safety of their transport activities and can’t simply delegate responsibility to drivers and transport operators.”
Consignors and consignees have the best opportunity to influence how shipping containers are packed and loaded at the point of origin through contractual and commercial relationships. They must communicate with suppliers, manufacturers, packers and loaders to ensure processes are carried out to meet safety requirements.
NHVR LAUNCHES ‘DON’T TRUCK IT UP’
The NHVR has launched the second phase of its major road safety campaign, Don’t #uck With A Truck. Titled ‘Don’t Truck It Up’, the campaign is targeted at Learner (L) and Provisional (P) licence holders.
The campaign features social media personality Luisa Dal Din, who helps demonstrate safety scenarios such as when a truck is turning, stopping, and how to safely overtake a truck.
NHVR spokesperson Michelle Tayler said, “There are so many distractions in a young person’s life, whether it be things like mobile phones or gaming, so we wanted to use these objects to show how quickly things can change when you make a wrong decision around a truck.”
For young drivers, the risk of a road fatality when transitioning from L Plates to P Plates increases by 12 times.
‘Don’t Truck It Up’ includes 90”, 15” and 6” spots appearing online on Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube, reaching young people where they spend the most time. It will also be supported through Community Service Announcements on billboards and radio.
For more information, visit www.dontmuckwithatruck.com.au
NHVR REGULATORY ADVICE – STEEP DECENTS
Recent heavy vehicle crashes and near misses on steep descents have highlighted the significant risk these routes pose to heavy vehicle drivers and other road users.
When planning a journey for your transport activities, you must consider potential safety risks associated with the route. Failing to do so is a breach of your primary duty obligations.
It is important that parties in the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) and their executives understand the risks associated with steep descents. All parties must proactively manage the safety of the vehicles and drivers to help meet their legal obligations and protect themselves and the company from possible regulatory action.
The NHVR has developed a Regulatory Advice – Managing the risks associated with heavy vehicles travelling down steep descents to help parties in the CoR and executives understand the risks associated with operating heavy vehicles on routes with a steep descent, including possible measures to help manage the risks and legal obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.
ALRTA NATIONAL COUNCIL
Members are advised that ALRTA National Council will meet via video link on Tuesday, 16 May 2023.
For more information please contact office@alrta.org.au.
SAVE THE DATES FOR 2023
- LRTASA – 16-17 June 2023 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, ADELAIDE SA
- LRTAWA/NATIONAL Combined Conference – 4-5 August 2023 – Abbey Beach Resort, BUSSELTON WA
- LRTAV – 11-12 August 2023 – Mercure, BALLARAT VIC
- LRTAQ – 28-29 September 2023 – The Ville Resort, TOWNSVILLE – QLD
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