The Government’s $400 million plan to boost truck productivity will reduce costs for families and our exporters, Australian Trucking Association Chair Mark Parry said today.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced the plan today, following the completion of a Productivity Commission inquiry into heavy vehicle reform.
The plan is forecast to deliver up to $4.4 billion in economic benefits per year.
“The Government’s announcement recognises that increasing productivity is the key to reducing the cost of living for families and reducing transport costs for Australia’s exporters,” Mr Parry said.
“The ATA and its members argued strongly for this major and welcome announcement, including in our 2025 election policy statement and our submissions to the Productivity Commission.
“I want to thank Treasurer Chalmers and Minister King for listening to trucking businesses and developing a plan that will result in a step change in productivity for our industry.
“We know, for example, that businesses who switch from conventional semitrailers to what are called A-doubles can move the same amount of freight in half the number of trips while using 72 per cent of the fuel.
“But trucks like A-doubles can only be used on specific networks or under permits. The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator receives about 197,000 permit applications a year.
“The plan will speed the creation of a National Automated Access System based on one developed in Tasmania. It will reduce the number of permits that operators need.
“The plan will encourage state governments to expand the road network that can be used by electric trucks. Electric trucks are heavier than conventional trucks. They can’t carry the same freight unless their gross mass is allowed to be higher.
“In addition, the plan will encourage the removal of curfews for electric trucks and increase the availability of electric truck chargers,” he said.
Mr Parry said the plan would speed up important changes to truck driver licensing.
“At present, drivers advance to operate larger trucks through a combination of elapsed time, training and competency tests,” Mr Parry said.
“For example, you need to hold a medium or heavy rigid truck licence for a year before you can get a semitrailer licence.
“This is easy to administer, but just because you’ve had a piece of plastic in your wallet for year doesn’t mean you’re a good and experienced driver.
“Conversely, the long wait delays good drivers from moving up to drive larger trucks, which just makes our truck driver shortage worse.
“The plan would encourage the states to enable drivers to advance sooner by recording their hours behind the wheel and more quickly again with a driving coach,” he said.
