Prime Minister supports transport industry

Prime Minister supports transport industry

The Australian Trucking Association’s Trucking Australia conference is hosted for Australia’s trucking operators, transportation service providers, and manufacturers. At the most recent conference, the acting prime minister delivered a very supportive keynote.

Moving forward

It’s no surprise that Australia’s Acting PM Michael McCormack has spoken so highly of the trucking industry; he’s also the minister for infrastructure and transport, putting him in a position to know exactly how important the freight and logistics industry is in Australia. McCormack’s keynote touched upon the necessity for heavy vehicle road reform. He confirmed the government’s intention to follow through with independent regulation of heavy vehicle charges, as well as to provide funding for repairing and rebuilding the nation’s aging roadways.

According to ATA Chair Geoff Crouch, “for every 1% increase in efficiency in the transport and logistics sector, GDP is boosted by $1 billion.” Crouch applauded McCormack’s statements regarding the virtues of the trucking industry, and the long-term land use planning, corridor protection improvements, road revenue considerations, and the need to revamp regional and remote transportation routes. “We welcome the commitment from the highest levels of Government in ensuring the road freight industry remain viable and sustainable,” Crouch said.

A mutual appreciation

While at the conference, Acting Prime Minister McCormack also highlighted the ATA’s own initiatives designed to improve the industry and the lives of those who depend on it, including the fatigue hackathon and the association’s partnership with the Australian Logistics Council in creating a revised set of safety best practices.