National road safety tribunal to improve safety for Australian road users

Australia’s first national Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal began operation yesterday. The tribunal has the power to set the pay and conditions for truck drivers, in order to reduce the economic pressures on these drivers to meet unfair and unrealistic deadlines which risk their own lives and the lives of others.

The Minister for Workplace Relations, Bill Shorten, said around 250 people are killed and more than 1000 suffer serious injuries each year in accidents involving trucks.

“We know some truck drivers are pressured to cut corners on safety and maintenance and feel they need to take illicit substances to keep them awake just to get to destinations on time,” Shorten said.

“These practices endanger the lives of all Australians.”

The Parliamentary Secretary for Workplace Relations, Jacinta Collins, said the work of the tribunal will reduce the economic incentives for drivers to take these measures in order to make their deadlines.

“The tribunal will make a real difference in improving road safety for truck drivers, their families and all Australian road users,” Senator Collins said.

“Research and an evidence-based approach will be used to determine pay and working conditions that do not encourage unsafe driving. All stakeholders with an interest in a matter before the tribunal will have the opportunity to put their views forward.”

The tribunal will also be able to resolve disputes involving truck drivers from 1 January 2013 and will be able to approve collective agreements between a hirer and owner drivers.

Minister Shorten also announced the appointment of Tribunal Members representing Fair Work Australia (FWA) and the road transport industry. The tribunal’s President, the Hon Jennifer Acton, and the other three tribunal members - SDP Lea Drake, Commissioner Asbury and Commissioner Hampton - have a wealth of experience in dealing with workplace relations issues.

The tribunal will also include four industry members: Professor Anne Williamson, Steve Hutchins, Tim Squires and Paul Ryan. The industry members were chosen from a merit-based selection process and have a range of experience from management of a small truck fleet, research on heavy vehicle safety and experience in industrial negotiations for both big and small players within the transport and logistics industry.

Shorten said road accidents involving heavy vehicles cost our economy an estimated $2.7 billion a year.

“We cannot begin to measure the painful cost carried by the victims’ loved ones, but this is something the Gillard government can do and is doing to minimise the toll on Australian roads,” Shorten said.

“Robust regulation that is the result of extensive consultation and a legal mechanism like the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal will make Australian roads safer for everyone.”