ALRTA News -19 February 2022

GOODYEAR – PROUD NATIONAL PARTNER 

As a proud National Partner of the ALRTA, Goodyear is pleased to offer special buying prices to ALRTA members.

ALRTA Members are entitled to a 10% discount off regular cash prices on commercial tyres at participating Beaurepaires stores. 

Find out more

AUS – UK FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

The Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement has been tabled in the Australian Parliament following the signing of the Agreement by Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Dan Tehan and UK Secretary of State for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan during a virtual ceremony on 17 December 2021. The Agreement will now be considered by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties.  
 
The Agreement will generate new export opportunities and jobs by eliminating tariffs on over 99 per cent of Australian goods exports to the UK. Australia’s services companies and professionals will also benefit from new commitments that make it easier to operate in the UK market, supporting the mutual recognition of professional qualifications and greater certainty for skilled professionals.  Reflecting our deep people-to-people links, both countries will offer enhanced opportunities to live and work temporarily in each other’s country. Information on the agreement can be found at: www.dfat.gov.au/aukfta.

ATA WELCOME HVNL DEVELOPMENTS

The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has welcomed news from the latest meeting of the nation’s infrastructure and transport ministers regarding the review and development of the Heavy Vehicle National Law. 

Last week, the ATA slammed any suggestion it is happy with the progress of the National Transport Commission review, which began in 2018.

Then, on Friday, 11 February, the infrastructure and transport ministers announced they’d had a productive discussion about the review and emphasised the importance of close engagement with industry.

The ministers agreed there needs to be further consultation before bringing back more detailed policy work for consideration at their next meeting

ATA Chair, David Smith says it’s a step in the right direction. 



“We welcome this announcement because it shows the ministers understand the need to consult with industry. Quite honestly, we’ve been very unhappy about the slow pace of this review, so let’s hope this latest development will speed things up,” Mr Smith said. 

“We believe it’s vital that the new Heavy Vehicle National Law delivers a safe and productive working environment for the delivery of goods and services across Australia. It’s also very important that truck drivers are able to understand and abide by these laws.”

“We want to thank the ministers for intervening at the meeting on Friday, especially the leadership from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and
Regional Development, Barnaby Joyce”. 

“Maybe now, we’ll see some real progress. We will continue to develop a common sense version of the Heavy Vehicle National Law for the Ministers to consider.” 

“The heavy vehicle drivers have continued to deliver for Australia no matter what’s been thrown at them, including COVID-19, bushfires and floods. We need this review to deliver for them.”

ANOTHER EWD OPTION & NEW STANDARDS

NHVR has approved a sixth EWD – ‘Hubfleet’.
 
The Hubfleet app offers a national solution, as it covers Standard, Basic Fatigue Management and custom Advanced Fatigue Management rule sets, as well as Western Australia’s accreditation scheme rules.
 
When first starting to use an EWD, drivers must continue to carry their written work diary for a transition period to comply with the requirement to carry 28 days of records.  It’s also important that drivers check the NHVR website to ensure they’re using an EWD approved by the NHVR.
 
A reminder that on 1 February 2022, new EWD standards came into effect. The NHVR now requires an EWD device or application to display the device make, model and operating system so that officers can quickly confirm it’s part of an approved EWD.

NEW INFO FOR CLOSE CONTACTS

The NHVR has updated its website with guidance on close contact worker requirements that covers each state or territory, so drivers understand their obligations if they have been identified as a close contact.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said it is important that drivers and operators have a one-stop shop for information.

“Heavy vehicles operate across all Australian borders thousands of times a day and it’s vital that they are able to find clear information to assist in them,” Sal said.

“The NHVR will continue to provide updates on changing conditions and requirements across all jurisdictions, such as truck access-friendly COVID-19 testing facilities, roadhouses and service centres.”
 
To view the close contact worker requirements, click here

SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT PROGRAM

Eligible businesses in NSW with a turnover of between $75,000 and $50 million that experienced a minimum 40% decline in turnover in January 2022 – and the first fortnight of February 2022 – can apply for support through the NSW Small Business Support Program.
 
Employing businesses will be eligible to receive 20% of weekly payroll as a lump sum for the month of February, with a minimum payment of $750 per week and a maximum payment of $5000 per week.
 
Non-employing businesses will receive $500 per week, paid as a lump sum of $2000.
 
The 2022 Small Business Support Program is for the month of February only.
 
More info here: COVID-19 business grants and loans | NSW Government

SUPPLY CHAIN BENCHMARKING

New data is available in the Government’s Supply Chain Benchmarking Dashboard, further helping freight operators and the businesses they support to improve their operations and save on costs.

The dashboard, developed with the CSIRO enables industry to compare supply chain performance over road and rail and across different locations.

A further 12 commodities are now available, including cement, asphalt, bitumen and molasses, giving industry insight into the supply chains of 150 commodities to help them compare performance by:

•    freight task costs and value, including cost per payload tonne or kilometre
•    travel distances and durations
•    geographic areas, including states and local government areas

It’s hoped the Supply Chain Benchmarking Dashboard will help freight operators to improve their operations, save on costs and grow on the other side of the pandemic.

Find out more and access the dashboard on the Freight Australia website.    

INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY 2022

Transport Women Australia Limited is really excited to announce dates and venues for their International Women’s Day events.

Melbourne on 8 March 2022, 6.30 – 9.30pm with special guest panel, Ruza Zivkusic-Aftasi, Benish Chaudhury and Louise Iozzi, talking about women in non traditional roles – book here.

Wollongong on 9 March 2022, 6.30 – 10.00pm with special guest speaker Frances Ross from Ross Transport – book here.

Sydney on 10 March 2022, 6.30 -10.00pm with special guest speaker Schon Condon from Condon Advisory Group – book here.

Dubbo on 11 March 2022, 6.30am – 12.00pm. This is our inaugural event in Dubbo that is sponsored by NHVR.  The seminar after breakfast is about Enforceable Undertakings and it will be hosted by Belinda Hughes, Chief Prosecutor for NHVR – book here.

TRUCKING AUSTRALIA 2022

After battling the global pandemic with snap lockdowns and border closures, it is time to unlock and reconnect at Trucking Australia 2022 (TA22).

TA22 will be held at The Star Gold Coast, Queensland, from Wednesday 4 to Friday 6 May 2022.

TA22 is a great opportunity for the industry to meet face-to-face as we generate positive discussions and solutions as an industry to face the ongoing challenges in 2022 and beyond.

Our program this year will run in four streams including Viability, Future, Safety and People. At the end of the conference, you will take with you valuable insights into the post-pandemic growth in the industry. 

Our industry is full of dedicated, passionate people who go the extra mile to make sure Australia’s goods are moved in a safe and professional manner. It is at Trucking Australia where we celebrate our achievers at our very special closing event, the ATA Foundation Sponsors Gala Awards Dinner, which includes the presentation of the 2022 National Trucking Industry Awards.

Register now to access our Early Bird discount of $100 off on our MEGA deal and full pass tickets. This offer won’t last long. 

For more information about Trucking Australia 2022, go to our website.

SAVE THE DATES FOR 2022

LRTAQ (QLD) – 4-5 March 2022- Surfair Marcoola QLD – Information & Registration
LBRCA (NSW) -26 -28 May 2022 – Wagga Wagga NSW – Information & Registration
LRTASA  (SA) -17-18 June 2022 – Adelaide SA
ALRTA/LRTAV National Combined Conference -12-13 August 2022 – All Seasons Bendigo VIC – Information