First, I want to extend my congratulations to the Albanese Labor Government on its re-election and strengthened mandate. I also want to acknowledge and thank our friends Hon Catherine King and Senator Glenn Sterle on their return to government. Their commitment to road transport reform has been unwavering, and I look forward to continuing the work we’ve begun together.
The federal election is behind us, and the result is clear: we’ve now got a government with a stronger position in both houses and no excuse not to finish the job we’ve started together.
As President of the NRFA, and someone who’s been part of this reform process from the ground up, I see this as the moment we’ve been working towards for years. The government is already briefed. The wheels are already turning. What we need now is stability, unity, and the political will to follow through.
At the ATA’s Trucking into the 2025 Election industry leaders panel last week, I made it clear that our industry can’t afford to waste another decade. Talk to anyone on the road and they’ll tell you—our problems all have overnight fixes. But every one of those “overnight fixes” takes ten years unless the momentum is maintained.
The Minimum Standards Orders being developed through the Road Transport Advisory Group (RTAG) are the most significant opportunity our industry has seen in decades. The first order—MSO2024/4, targeting fair contracts and a maximum of 30-day payment terms—is already progressing. The next one must set real standards for waiting time, detention, and demurrage.
We also have a chance to fix the broken licensing system by adopting the South Australian model nationally. That includes removing automatic recognition of overseas licences (except from New Zealand) and creating real, on-the-job training pathways for HC drivers to step up to MC.
But we need to go even further. We need structured training pathways and apprenticeships that bring young people into our industry and make truck driving a career—not a fallback. Starting on a forklift at 16, progressing to HR at 18, and finishing as a fully qualified MC driver is a plan we can deliver with the right support.
This election result gives us a rare shot at finishing what we’ve started—without the disruption of another political reset.
Let’s not waste it.
- Glyn Castanelli is President, National Road Freighters Association (NRFA)
This week’s so called Blitz in what the manner in which the NHVR and the Police or HVU is so called is disappointing and disgusting especiallythe Task force rude and arrogant and above the law talking to you like pigs and putting words in your not allowing abit of of flexibility and educating you on what you have done wrong abit of education goes a long way in making sure you don’t to the issues again and keeping it safe and Professional just revenue raising at its best
On the other hand with the NHVR most were pretty good and helpful and pointing out safety issues compliance and mechanical issues there are still some nasty arrogant revenue raising ones out bust most where pretty good and polite to deal with
we a body to protect and support us drivers and get the Taskforce out to fight real crime not constantlycarrying drivers for 1 km over the speed limit or 2 min out on youre work diary what a Joke
this country is loosing good drivers and company’s going broke we need a free 24 hour legal service
surely there has to someone that really really cares
the influx of foreign non speaking drivers and company’s is sending this country broke and causing nothing but misery, filth and Death
That’s the Bottom line why no good person or operator wants to get into driving Young or old
this industry is nearly dead through import drivers and the constant harassment