Amid the initial confusion of lockdowns and border restrictions at the height of the pandemic in 2020, truckies were locked out of road houses and rest areas and refused access to toilets and showers while completing their essential work.
After consultation with the state based transport associations and governments, the National Freight Code was put in place allowing road houses and service stations to stay open so that drivers could get a warm meal and a shower while managing their fatigue, in some form of comfort.
This was a good outcome for our truckies.
However, I was disappointed to see that as New South Wales entered into lockdown a number of weeks ago, truck drivers were again being locked out from accessing basic amenities at different road houses and service stations across the state.
I am pleased to say that after working closely with Simon O’Hara and Road Freight NSW, a number of these issues have now been fixed.
And now that access to rest areas, road houses and service stations has been restored for our essential truckies, it’s time they were cleaned up.
On a daily basis, I get photos and messages from truckies on social media detailing the poor conditions they encounter at service stations and rest areas; including broken showers, dirty toilets, lack of parking bays, quality of food options, the list goes on and on.
Our truck drivers are essential workers. They have kept Australia moving throughout the pandemic. They deserve much better than this.
This is why I am inviting truck drivers to let me know which truck stops or service stations need some attention so I can work with the companies who own them to see if there is room for improvement.
Over recent months, I have established working relationships with BP, Caltex/Ampol, Coles and Shell and all have been very responsive when I have contacted them with queries relating to the condition of some of their sites.
I want to thank them for their cooperation and look forward to continuing to work with them to ensure that our essential truckies have access to the best sites available.
If you would like to get in touch regarding this campaign, please contact my office on (08) 9455 1420 or at senator.sterle@aph.gov.au or via Facebook.