THANK YOU CUMMINS
PROUD NATIONAL SPONSOR OF ALRTA
We know these are strange times, which is why our teams across South Pacific are working harder than ever to make sure you have what you need to keep your business up and running.
LATEST ON BORDER CONTROLS
For the latest summary of border rules and testing sites click here.
TALKING DISASTER RESILIENCE AND RECOVERY WITH FEDERAL TREASURY
ALRTA Secretary Grant Robins and ALRTA Executive Director Mat Munro met with Federal Treasury Officials this week to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on rural transport and recovery options.
Mr Robins said that the introduction of a Rural Transport Management Deposit Scheme was the best option for assisting operators to manage seasonal fluctuations, natural disasters and other unforeseeable events.
“During 2019-20, Australian rural transport businesses were affected by unpredictable events including drought, fire, flood, closure of the live sheep export market and COVID-19. Severe economic impacts for transport operators can often arrive 12 months after direct government assistance has ceased due to the lag effect of re-stocking and re-sowing,” said Mr Robins.
“Primary producers have access to a Farm Management Deposit Scheme that allows tax-deductible deposits in ‘good years’ that can be withdrawn and taxed in later years. A similar scheme could assist eligible rural transport businesses become more resilient.
“The scheme would be self-funded by its own beneficiaries. After a period of prolonged downturn, the rural sector is optimistic about the 2020-21 season following good rains across much of the country.
Establishing the scheme now will provide an opportunity to prepare ahead of the next economic challenge,” he said.
INVESTIGATING EFFLUENT DISPOSAL OPPORTUNITIES
Following our success in partnering with Horsham Rural City Council (Council) to establish a free livestock effluent disposal pit at the Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange (HRLE), ALRTA sought approval from the Australian Government to continue this work at similar sites around Australia. The Australian Government and NHVR is supporting these projects via the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative.
Stay tuned for more information and please let us know about potential sites near you via project@alrta.org.au
TRUCK SAFETY IMPROVING
The Australian Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics publishes quarterly bulletins on Fatal Heavy Vehicle Crashes in Australia. The latest report has some good news.
These figures continue to bode well for the trucking industry which is experiencing a general downward trend in fatalities over the past ten years, despite a continuing increase in freight and trucks on the road network.
Click here to read the report
NEW FACT SHEET ON SUPPLEMENTARY RECORDS
Are you delayed purchasing a new work diary due to COVID-19 restrictions in some areas of Australia?
The NHVR has released a new Fact Sheet outlining how to use a supplementary record if a written work diary is lost, stolen, destroyed or filled up.
Supplementary records can be in any format but must contain all the information normally recorded in a work diary and must be carried for 28 days with the driver’s new work diary.
Drivers must not use supplementary records after buying a replacement work diary or after more than seven business days.
Click here to download the fact sheet about supplementary records
A CONVERSATION CAN CHANGE A LIFE
The past year has presented challenges like no other. There are a lot of people hurting who don’t always show it.
You don’t need to be an expert to reach out – just a good friend and a great listener. Use these four steps and have a conversation that could change a life:
1. Ask R U OK?
2. Listen
3. Encourage action
4. Check in
TRUCKING INDUSTRY Q&A
Back by popular demand, Trucking Industry Q&A with Tony Jones is coming to a screen near you!
An energetic and hard-hitting discussion forum, Trucking Industry Q&A will be livestreamed FREE on 23 September as part of the ATA Live broadcast.
Hosted by respected journalist Tony Jones, our panel of trucking representatives and experts will discuss the key issues faced by our industry, including the response to COVID-19 such as:
- financial impacts
- employment perspective
- effect on productivity
- how to prepare for the future
No matter who you are or where you’re from, everyone can join in and submit a question to the panel – send your question now! REGISTER NOW
NTI’S RESTO TRUCK – 2020 ATA LIVE
NTI’s resto truck is up for grabs at 2020 ATA Live.
It’s the moment restoration enthusiasts have been waiting for – Australia’s leading specialist insurer, NTI, is excited to announce the opportunity to bid at auction on the organisation’s restored, custom 1946 Ford Jail Bar.
The big ticket item will be up for grabs as part of the Australian Trucking Association’s 2020 ATA Live Industry Broadcast Event online auction, open to anyone over the age of 18 in Australia.
The ATA’s annual event will take on a different format due to Covid restrictions, but NTI’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tony Clark says 2020 is the perfect opportunity to do something “a little different” to raise much needed funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
The live auction will take place Wednesday 23rd September at 5:30pm AEST.
All proceeds from the truck auction will go to MND Australia for awarding the NTI Research Grant for 2021. Visit NTI’s 1946 Ford Jail Bar Charity Auction to find out more or simply click here to jump ahead and register to bid. Please consider the auction terms and conditions available here.
CAMELMAN BOUND FOR TASMANIA
John Elliott “The Camelman” departed Victoria on Tuesday and LRTAV member Hodge Livestock Transport shipped his valuable cargo of five camels across Bass Strait. 
Aidan (driver for Hodge Livestock Transport) with John and his dog Brunski.
REMINDER: ALRTA AGM
Members are reminded that the ALRTA AGM will be held via Zoom on 18 September 2020. An agenda, papers and a special resolution concerning proposed constitutional changes has been circulated ahead of the meeting.
For more information please contact the ALRTA Secretariat on (02) 6247 5434 or office@alrta.org.au
FRIDAY FUNNY
My boss came to me at lunch: “Where the hell have you been? I’ve been trying to find you all morning!”
I shrugged and said: “Good employees are hard to find!”
He then said: “Enjoy the rest of your day.”
So I went home!
ALRTA STAFF AVAILABILITY AMIDST COVID19
From 24 March 2020 the ALRTA staff – Mathew, Sue, Colleen and Jack have been working from home amidst COVID-19. We are gradually coming back into the office with only one staff member present at a time.
Please email office@alrta.org.au or call Colleen on the ALRTA mobile 0490 515 681 or Mathew (ED) on 0421 082 489.
UPDATE ON EVENTS FOR 2020
LRTAWA on 19 September 2020 – Burswood on Swan – Perth WA. Click on the image to go to registration page
LTAT (TAS) in Hobart TAS – POSTPONED
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