ALRTA News – 7 September 2018

BP PLUS PROMOTION – EXTENDED

BP Plus Promotion has been extended for another month and will run until 30 September 2019. BP are offering new members and existing members who sign up for a BP Plus card account 6cpl off all Diesel & ULP products for 6 months from sign up across the whole of the network.

This means you can receive a 6cpl discount at sites where a 4.05cpl discount for Diesel and 2cpl discount for ULP would ordinarily apply.

There are also no fees for 6 months and you will receive a $100 BP Gift Card if you have transacted 3 times in the first 30 days.

Apply now at bpplus.com.au and simply use promo code: 6C2018-ALRTA

ALC-ATA SAFETY SUMMIT

The long awaited ALC-ATA Safety Summit was held in Melbourne this week.   Over two days, the event tackled several important issues such as the Master Code of Practice, chain of responsibility, operational issues, executive officer compliance, technology, safety culture and mental health.
Photo: Deputy Prime Minister McCormack delivers a keynote address.

Some highlights included:

  • Opening addresses by Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety, the Hon Luke Donnellan MP, and Deputy Prime Minister the Hon Michael McCormack MP.
  • Presentation by an international expert on the American approach to electronic logging devices.
  • In depth look at how the Master Code of Practice can help guide safety improvements and compliance with chain of responsibility.
  • An ALRTA presentation on the development of an industry code of practice for managing effluent in the livestock supply chain.
  • Forums exploring how governments and industry are preparing for the new CoR laws that come into force on 1 October 2018.
  • Differing perspectives about how technology can improve compliance.
  • Tips on improving safety culture and supportive mental health environments within organisations.

The Summit was a good start to elevating the discussion around heavy vehicle safety to the highest level.  There is massive interest among supply chain participants about the new Master Code of Practice which will be finalised and released to industry in the next few months.

Photo: Marla Stone (LRTAV Vice President), John Beer (ALRTA Vice President) and Jacqueline Brotherton (LBRCA Life Member) at the Safety Summit. 

While there is still a lot of uncertainty about exactly how to implement the code, there was a lot of talk about auditing against the code and whether or not this would be accepted by all supply chain participants – could it be possible that just one audit might satisfy all customers?

LRTAV Vice President John Beer asked the room ‘Who will police the code?’ and again no one was really sure.  It is a great initiative in theory, but it seems there is still some way to go in practice.

TEST THE NEW REGISTRATION MODULE

From 1 October 2018, heavy vehicle operators will be able to access details of their registered assets for free in the new Registration Module of the NHVR Portal.

Operators will be able to:

  • confirm that details recorded by jurisdictions align with their own records;
  • check registration changes and transfers have been processed correctly;
  • forecast registration renewals and costs;
  • download or print vehicle records to provide to other parties in the supply chain.

The NHVR is inviting operators to participate in a restricted release of the Registration Module as final testing is completed. Participants will use live production data to set up and view their own registration information.

Operators can participate in an online training session where they will be guided in a practical demonstration and instruction on how to setup and view their registration data.

Training sessions are scheduled for:

  • Friday 14 September 2.00pm – 4.00pm (AEST)
  • Friday 21 September 2.00pm – 4.00pm (AEST)
  • Friday 28 September 2.00pm – 4.00pm (AEST)

Operators can register their interest in participating in one of the sessions by clicking on the Eventbrite link below:

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/nhvr-portal-registration-module-early-access-information-session-tickets-49281900491

Please note: Victorian vehicle details will not be available in the Portal until 1 October 2018. Operators who only have vehicles registered in Victoria will not be eligible to participate in the restricted release. If you have questions about this session, please contact Tammy.Wigg@nhvr.gov.au, NHVR Registration Business Manager.

UPDATED ANIMAL WELFARE LAWS

Get the latest on Australia’s Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines.  There have been some updates which you can find on the links below:

Australian industry voluntary standards and guidelines for Goats  http://www.animalwelfarestandards.net.au/goat/

HELP STOP SCAMMERS

The ATO (Australian Taxation Office) has issued a warning about a new scammer method targeting taxpayers, as scammers ramp up their activity in September.

The ALRTA Secretariat is aware that some members have been targeted via email scams recently.

To read the ATO information please click here.

ENERGY COSTS AND SMALL BUSINESS

Research is showing that energy price rises are putting the brakes on small business leading to reduced profits and dividends; less growth and investment; and higher prices for consumers.

Small businesses are already unable to pay energy bills (1/10 businesses aren’t able to pay bills on time) and 44% are concerned about their ability to pay into the future.  69% have cash flow affected by energy bills; stress levels are escalating with 57% of business owners stressed or anxious about energy bills.

The Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia (COSBOA) is conducting further research on the impact of energy prices on small businesses and is actively raising these concerns with government policy makers and elected representatives.  With an election looming now is the time to act!

If you are concerned about your energy bills and can spare a few minutes to assist, please participate in the COSBOA survey here:  https://www.research.net/r/WTQ968B

The survey closes 30 September 2018.

CELEBRATE YOUR WORKSHOP CREW

It’s time to recognise the professional men and women who work behind the scenes in the trucking industry’s workshops by nominating for the 2018 Craig Roseneder Award.

The national award honours incredible individuals and highlights the passion, professionalism and dedication of the company they represent.

The winner will receive a fully paid trip to Atlanta, Georgia, USA, to attend the US Technology and Maintenance Council’s 2019 Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition.

The amazing prize includes return airfares, full exhibition registration, premium accommodation and AUD $1,500 spending money.

The winner will be announced at the ATA’s 2018 Technology and Maintenance Conference, to be held 15-17 October at the Kangan Institute’s Automotive Centre of Excellence.

Last year’s winner was Mark Collins of Frasers Livestock Transport.

Do you know someone who deserves this award? Nominate them today!

Nominations close 14 September 2018.

ALRTA EXECUTIVE

The ALRTA Executive met via teleconference this week.  The main topics included ALRTA staffing, building assets, operational review, accounting and sponsorships.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Road Freight NSW Conference
When: 13 September 2018
Where: Rooty Hill RSL
More information

ATA Technology and Maintenance Conference
When: 15-17 October 2018
Where: TBC
More information