ATA Expresses Optimism In New Prime Minister

Following recent talks with Australia’s newly elected Prime Minister Scott Morrison, the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) chairman expressed his enthusiasm about working with Morrison in the future on issues the industry faces, including a need for regulatory and tax reform.

A Vital Role

Along with other trucking industry leaders, ATA Chairman Geoff Crouch says he spoke with Morrison after the PM’s Aug. 24 election about the drought Australia now faces, truck charges, small business payment terms, and the industry’s need for regulatory and tax reform. Morrison, who previously served as Australia’s Treasurer, replaces Malcom Turnbull, who Australia’s governing body voted out of office. “Prime Minister Morrison understands the trucking industry and its vital role in the Australian economy,” says Crouch, adding, “He’ll be a great prime minister.”

Crouch says the need for truck permits is currently blocking growth and investment in Australia’s economy and is complicating responses to the drought due to hay-transport rules differing in each state. National truck laws, he says, have failed to deliver needed regulatory reform and consistency. The ATA is seeking an independent review of current laws, “with a strong focus on bringing route permit approvals into the 21st century.”

Independent Regulator

Crouch says trucking industry officials told Morrison that the independent price regulator the government is seeking to establish for truck road users and registration charges must have “power over toll road and landside port charges,” and that “local councils should not be able to impose their own charges.” Crouch says the trucking industry consists largely of small businesses, and that they often become “financiers for large companies because of one-sided payment terms, but without the sharp suits and trailing commissions.” Small trucking companies, he says, should receive payment within 30 days.