The Australian Road Transport Industrial Organisation (ARTIO) has been at the forefront of advocating for a safe, sustainable, and efficient road transport industry.
Our journey began with the Sterle Senate Inquiry, which highlighted the critical importance of our industry. This inquiry laid the groundwork for significant legislative advancements, most notably the Closing the Loopholes Legislation No. 2, passed in February 2024.
This inquiry laid the groundwork for significant legislative advancements, most notably the Closing the Loopholes Legislation No. 2, passed in February 2024.
This landmark legislation has been a game-changer for the road transport industry.
It directly integrates our industry into the Fair Work Commission’s (FWC) structure, allowing for specific issues to be raised, investigated, and adjudicated within its jurisdiction.
This integration ensures that the road transport industry now has an independent standards body within the FWC, dedicated to setting and enforcing minimum industry standards. This includes greater recognition of operating standards and variations, ensuring a fair and equitable process that does not hinder the excellent work being done across the industry.
One of the key outcomes of this legislation is the establishment of the Road Transport Advisory Group (RTAG). This group plays a crucial role in advising the FWC about the interests of road transport businesses and regulated road transport contractors. The RTAG is responsible for:
• Making and changing modern awards related to the road transport industry.
• Setting and varying road transport minimum standards orders and road transport contractual chain orders.
• Deciding on deferrals or suspensions of road transport orders and making changes or revoking them after suspension or deferral.
• Prioritising cases related to the road transport industry.
The RTAG consists of members appointed by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. The President of the FWC can appoint a member of the expert panel on road transport as the RTAG Chair. Currently, Vice President Ingrid Asbury holds this role.
The RTAG also includes representatives like myself, representing the industrial interests of road transport businesses, and Richard Olsen, representing the industrial interests of regulated road transport contractors.
The RTAG can form subcommittees to consult broadly and provide advice on specific issues. These subcommittees are vital for thoroughly examining and debating the potential impacts of any proposed standards. They ensure that all perspectives are considered, maintaining a balanced approach to setting minimum industry standards.
The Sterle Senate Inquiry provided several recommendations, many of which are being, or already been, implemented:
Establishment of an independent standards body within the FWC.
Empowered to address the dispute resolution process
Ensure compliance with industry standards.
Setting new skill and train ing standards.
Deeper investigation into heavy vehicle road crashes.
Greater on-road driver facilities.
Developing technology and data standards.
New standards for the cash-in-transit sector.
Greater recognition of operating standards and variations.
Establishment of a Transport Advisory Group.
While we have made significant progress, there is still work to be done on several fronts. Setting new skill and training standards, investigating heavy vehicle road crashes, improving on-road driver facilities, developing technology and data standards, and establishing new standards for the cash-in-transit sector are all areas that require our continued focus and effort.
ARTIO, established in early 1992, is a federated body dedicated to industrial relations within the road transport industry.
We now hold jurisdictional power within the FWC that no other employer organisation in our industry possesses.
This unique position allows us to advocate effectively for the interests of our members and ensure that the road transport industry operates under fair, equitable, and robust standards.
Our commitment to the road transport industry remains unwavering. We will continue to work tirelessly to implement the remaining recommendations from the Sterle Senate Inquiry and ensure that our industry remains safe, sustainable, and efficient for all Australians.
Peter Anderson is CEO, Victorian Transport Association (VTA) and National Secretary, ARTIO
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