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Trucking Industry Reform (Howard Emanuel)

The importance to a country like Australia of a vibrant and sustainable trucking industry is beyond question and beyond doubt. Read More...

By Howard Emanuel - 5th September 2004 - Back to News

The importance to a country like Australia of a vibrant and sustainable trucking industry is beyond question and beyond doubt. This immense nation with its communities spread across great distances requires road transportation so as the needs of the population can be met. Even with an enhanced and improved rail network, trucks are irreplaceable in their role of moving freight to distant and remote locations.

Why then is it that owner-drivers in the industry have to struggle so hard to be heard, to have their concerns at least taken seriously. These small business operators work long and tedious hours some traveling on average between 5000 and 6000 kilometres, week in week out, all year. Over roads that have to be shared with tourist and domestic traffic, over roads that are too often unable to cope with the transport they are incumbent of.

Indeed has it not reached a very low point where it is difficult to obtain figures relating to how many truck drivers are killed each year on the Hume Highway, the major arterial link between Melbourne and Sydney. Where it is difficult to obtain statistics surrounding these deaths and to understand the causes of the accidents that take place.

Truck drivers like many others are essentially operating in a workplace environment and in an age where we focus much attention on occupational health and safety in the workplace, why is it there seems to be disproportionate risk when it comes to driving a truck for a living.  Is it not enough to be away from home for nights on end most weeks of the year, to work odd and long hours without having to be confronted by the possibility of serious accident in the course of their work?

To invest their own personal capital in very expensive machinery, often via the bank, only to see a minimal and insufficient return on that investment when freight rates and earning potential are taken into account. To work extraordinary hours for modest return.

Is there sufficient profit in trucking to allow operators the time they need to properly fulfill maintenance requirements or are we putting both drivers and the general public at risk by having large vehicles on our roads in somewhat less than optimum condition.

Does the need to make a dollar mean time on the road, not off is the only way to survive.

Are road conditions essentially the workplace of truck drivers, up to an acceptable standard? Are the surfaces appropriate for the task and is the general condition, size and scope of our national road network able to cope with the load it must carry. Are training standards in the industry sufficient to ensure the safety of the truck operator and the public.

Are major businesses gradually taking over the industry forcing smaller owner-operators to work harder for a living trying to keep up with the enormous cost of running a truck and the all important task of competing for the available freight without undermining their viability.

Compared to other nations with large distances to transport freight across such as the USA what are our standards when it comes to working conditions. What form of protest is available to truck drivers if they wish to bring to the attention of government the concerns they have? Are there institutions in place such as ministerial committees set up to review the needs of the industry and who is, and how does one become a member of such boards.

Clearly there are manifest issues to be addressed in the industry, an enterprise that continues to underpin the needs of all communities. An industry it seems that to some extent falls outside the standards we demand of other industries when it comes to a safe work environment, return on capital investment and a fair days work for a fair days pay, that most Australian of all doctrines.

I believe as an independent candidate at this federal election that it is time to set up a full senate inquiry into all aspects of Australia’s trucking industry and will work toward this goal if elected to the Commonwealth parliament.

Thank you.

Howard Emanuel.

Independent Candidate for the Federal Seat of McMillan.

Mobile: 0400 158 896

E-mail:   howard@howardemanuel.com

Website: www.HowardEmanuel.com

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: kris@howardemanuel.com