Last night the Rural Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee tabled its final report into the committee’s inquiry into the Importance of a viable, safe, sustainable and efficient road transport industry.
Over the course of this inquiry, 150 witnesses appeared before the committee across 11 public hearings around the nation, including in Albury-Wodonga, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and also via tele and videoconference from the Northern Territory, South Australia and Tasmania.
Of those 150 witnesses, 37 appeared in their capacity as a truck driver. The committee also received 128 submissions, with 58 of those drivers.
Established in September of 2019, this inquiry came as a result of extensive consultation over many months, including at two Transport Industry Standards Forum’s, with state based and national transport associations, owner drivers, trainers, academics, transport companies and employers, industrial organisations and unions.
An overwhelming majority of participants agreed that a path forward for the transport industry was to push for the establishment of a Senate inquiry which would not only examine the many factors that confronted the industry at a national level, but would also produce recommendations as to how the industry could become more viable, safe, sustainable, efficient and profitable.
“With the support of the crossbench and Labor Senators, the vote to establish the inquiry was successful and it is indeed an honour to be able to present the findings of the report,” said WA Senator Glenn Sterle, the committe chair.
The Report has made 10 comprehensive recommendations to Government which are based on extensive research and evidence taken from witnesses and submissions.
“I want to sincerely thank everyone who made a submission or appeared as a witness as well as the many people I have spoken to, the majority of them being truck drivers, over the course of this inquiry for being involved and having your say as to what needs to and can be done to improve the road transport industry for all, going forward,” Sterle added.