GOODYEAR
ALRTA NATIONAL SPONSOR
UPDATED SA BORDER ENTRY RULES
Effective Thursday 8 October, essential travellers from any state other than Victoria can enter South Australia via Mildura, provided you have not stopped in Victoria, without having to produce results of a Covid-19 test.
Find out more information here.
For the latest summary of border rules and testing sites click here.
FEDERAL BUDGET AT A GLANCE
The introduction of temporary full expensing will drive trucking business investment and encourage the purchase of new, safer trucks and trailers, Chair of the Australian Trucking Association David Smith said.
Responding to the 2021 Federal Budget, Mr Smith said the announcement followed extensive lobbying by the ATA and its member associations for measures to encourage more investment in new and late model second hand trucking equipment.
“This is a massive win for the ATA and our members. Businesses with a turnover of up to $5 billion will be able to write off the full value of any new eligible asset they purchase for their business. For small and medium businesses, this will also include second-hand assets,” Mr Smith said.
“This is a game changer that will unlock investment in upgraded truck fleets. It will support jobs and put newer, safer and greener trucks on the road.
“The importance of its application to trucking was highlighted by the Treasurer last night, who said in his budget speech that: ‘A trucking company will be able to upgrade its fleet.’
“The new support announced last night will extend support to 30 June 2022.
“The ATA also welcomes new support for businesses with a turnover up to $5 billion to temporarily offset tax losses against previous profits and the new JobMaker Hiring Credit to support creating jobs for young Australians,” he said.
The budget announcement sets out the Government’s $110 billion infrastructure pipeline, including $14 billion in new and accelerated infrastructure.
Supporting new investment
- From 7.30pm AEDT on 6 October 2020 until 30 June 2022, businesses with turnover up to $5 billion will be able to deduct the full cost of eligible new depreciable assets of any value in the year they are first used or installed ready for use. The cost of improvements made during this period to existing eligible depreciable assets can also be fully deducted.
- For small and medium businesses (with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $50 million), this also applies to second-hand assets.
- Additionally, eligible businesses that acquire eligible new or second-hand assets under the enhanced $150,000 instant asset write-off by 31 December 2020 will also have an extra six months, until 30 June 2021, to first use or install those assets.
Temporary loss carry-back
- Companies with turnover up to $5 billion will now be able to offset tax losses against previous profits on which tax has been paid to generate a refund.
- Losses incurred in 2019–20, 2020–21 and/or 2021–22 can be carried back against profits made in or after 2018–19. Eligible companies may elect to receive a tax refund when they lodge their 2020–21 and 2021–22 tax returns.
- The Government states that this measure will help companies that were profitable and tax-paying but now find themselves in a loss position due to COVID-19. By allowing them to access their losses earlier, by way of a cash refund, it will provide a needed cash flow boost. Loss carry-back will also promote investment by encouraging more businesses to take advantage of full expensing while it is available.
Employment and skills
- JobMaker Hiring Credit: wage subsidy available to employers for each new job they create over the next 12 months from 7 October 2020 for which they hire an eligible young job seeker aged 16 to 35 years old. For up to 12 months, employers can receive $200 a week if they hire an eligible person aged 16 to 29, or $100 a week if they hire an eligible person aged 30 to 35.
- JobTrainer Skills package, including a 50 per cent wage subsidy for 100,000 new apprentices or trainees. It applies to businesses of all sizes, in all industries and in all locations. The 50 per cent wage subsidy is up to a cap of $7,000 per quarter until 30 September 2021.
Other Budget 2020-21 highlights
- Additional $14 billion in new and accelerated infrastructure investment
- $17.8 billion in personal income tax relief.
More details at budget.gov.au
OPERATOR GUIDANCE ON DRIVER TRAINING
ALRTA member operators provided advice on driver training to researchers seeking to establish a program to improve welfare and meat quality. Our participants included Graeme Hoare (Martins Group of Companies), Athol Carter (Frasers Livestock Transport) and owner driver John Beer. The researchers included representatives from the University of Melbourne, University of Queensland and University of Newcastle.
A key message was that any new program must fill the practical requirements of the transport sector and take into account ‘on the ground’ advice from operators.
PAYGO CONSULTATION CONTINUES
ALRTA Executive Director, Mat Munro, participated in the third NTC consultation workshop on the PAYGO model and heavy vehicle charges determination. The workshop focused on registration concessions, revenue collection leakages and special consideration of road train charges.
SAFEMEAT ADVISORY GROUP
For the first time, ALRTA participated as an observer on the SAFEMEAT Advisory Group. John Beer (LRTAV) was appointed as the ALRTA representative.
SAFEMEAT is an industry partnership established in 1998 to oversight and promote sound management systems to deliver safe and hygienic product to the marketplace. ALRTA applied for observer status on SAFEMEAT due to the lack of transporter representation and the role SAFEMEAT plays in determining the content and structure of NVDs – documents used by livestock carriers every day.
RESPONDING TO HVNL REVIEW
ALRTA representative to ATA, John Beer, and ALRTA Executive Director, Mat Munro, participated in an ATA member workshop to develop a joint response to the NTC review of the Heavy Vehicle National Law.
The NTC has released a regulatory impact statement containing more than 40 options for consideration. ALRTA has previously lodged a submission with NTC containing 108 recommendations for improving the law.
ATA and its members are working through the NTC options in sections (e.g. access, chain of responsibility, enforcement) and in some cases developing alternative options to best meet the needs of industry.
Have Your Say:
Australia’s truck drivers are invited to share their thoughts on the national truck law review in the ATA’s Voice of the Driver online survey. Each survey respondent will have the chance to win a Kenworth merchandise pack. Take the survey
NOMINATE FOR TRUCK TECH AWARD
The Australian Trucking Association has today launched nominations for the 2020 Craig Roseneder Award, recognising technical and maintenance excellence in the trucking industry.
“Focussing on innovation, industry involvement and mentoring, the Craig Roseneder award recognises the dedication and exceptional skill of Australia’s workshop personnel,” ATA Chair David Smith said.
“2020 has been a challenging year, and it has never been more important to recognise those who work behind the scenes to keep our industry and Australia moving,” he said.
Proudly sponsored by Castrol Vecton, the award winner will receive a fully paid trip to the US to attend a US Technology and Maintenance Council’s Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition including:
- Return airfares
- Full registration to attend a US Technology and Maintenance Council’s Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition
- 5 nights premium conference accommodation
- Partners’ program registration if applicable
- AUD $1,500 spending money
- Complimentary registration to the next in-person ATA Technology and Maintenance Conference
“There are so many hardworking men and women in Australia’s trucking industry, it’s time to celebrate their achievements and give them the recognition they deserve,” Mr Smith said.
Nominations for the 2020 Craig Roseneder Award close on 9 November.
Find out more and nominate now
IF IT MOVES, IT CAN CARRY DISEASES, PESTS AND WEEDS
Results of the Transporters Biosecurity Survey
Biosecurity is a shared responsibility among all members of the livestock supply chain. Livestock transporters play a significant role in day-to-day biosecurity and are on the forefront when it comes to minimising the risk of livestock disease spread, particularly during an emergency animal disease response.
However, there is currently limited information regarding biosecurity available to the livestock transport sector, nor are there clear communication channels across the industry that can be used during an emergency animal disease response in order to reach all workers on the ground.
To determine what information transporters require and how it is best communicated, the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA), Biosecurity Queensland and Animal Health Australia developed an online survey to capture the thoughts of livestock transporters. The survey closed on 11 September 2020. Thank you to all those that participated in the survey.
All transporters who completed the survey went into a draw to win a 60L Engel fridge freezer, complements of ALRTA and AHA, valued at $1899! We are pleased to announce that David Rutter from NSW was the winner – we hope the fridge serves you well!
Remember to keep your eyes peeled for the new truck washdown signs (see below) that will be distributed throughout the washdown facilities in Queensland soon! For further information regarding the project, please contact the Animal Health Australia Extension team at biosecurity@animalhealthaustralia.com.au.
JOIN TRUCKSAFE TODAY
For piece of mind, join TruckSafe today. Watch a video.
NTI RECEIVES GRANT
NTI has received a grant towards building a safer and more sustainable industry. $300,000 has been awarded to NTI’s proposed “Driving a National Culture of Safety” initiative,a 12 month campaign to deliver online, digital and interactive heavy vehicle educational content, with the aim to embed an industry-wide view on safety culture.
FREE ENERGY USAGE ASSESSMENTS
Your business could save with a free Energy Efficiency Assessment.
It only takes around 15 minutes.
At EnergyAustralia, we know managing your business’ energy costs could be a huge challenge at the moment. That’s why we offer a free Energy Efficiency Assessment to help optimise your usage and identify ways to save money where you can.
Benefits:
- Identifies possible cost savings for your business
- Outlines a range of ideas and product solutions designed to help you reduce your energy use or enhance your business’ energy efficiency
- May lead to reducing your business’ carbon footprint if you start using less energy
How does it work?
- Our Australia-based business energy specialists will give you a call at a time that suits you (between 8.00am and 6.30pm, Monday to Friday).
- We’ll do a price comparison with your current energy bills and ask some questions about your electricity appliances and usage. This only takes around 15 minutes.
- You’ll then receive a tailored report including energy saving recommendations, which we’ll discuss with you on a quick follow-up call.
Want to organise a free Energy Efficiency Assessment for your business?
Please call Vanessa on 0429 518 043 or email vanessa.winter@energyaustralia.com.au
MEETING NOTICE: ALRTA COUNCIL
Members are advised that the next meeting of the ALRTA National Council will be held via technology on Friday, 23 October 2020.
Formal advice with RSVP details will be sent to member secretariats. A hyperlink will be sent to participants prior to the meeting.
FRIDAY FUNNY
Mr. and Mrs. Brown had two sons. One was named Mind Your Own Business & the other was named Trouble.
One day the two boys decided to play hide and seek. Trouble hid while Mind Your Own Business counted to one hundred.
Mind Your Own Business began looking for his brother behind garbage cans and bushes.
Then he started looking in and under cars until a police man approached him and asked, “What are you doing?” “Playing a game,” the boy replied. “What is your name?” the officer questioned. “Mind Your Own Business.” Furious the policeman inquired, “Are you looking for trouble?!”
The boy replied, “Why, yes.”
ALRTA STAFF BACK TO THE OFFICE
From Monday 12 October 2020 the ALRTA staff – Mathew, Sue, Colleen and Jack will be coming back into the office.
SAVE THE DATE FOR 2021
LBRCA Conference – Wagga Wagga – 4-6 March 2021 – The Range Function Centre
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