Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) has distributed a detailed list of federal election priorities to all 227 federal MPs and senators.
The peak trucking body calls for government assistance to support the heavy vehicle industry and to address pressing issues such as international competitiveness, the transition to net zero emissions, growing the future workforce, enhancing road freight productivity, and optimising Australia’s road infrastructure.
“The Australian heavy vehicle sector, one of the country’s most vital industries, is at a critical crossroads, confronting both substantial challenges and opportunities as it transitions into a future marked by significant change,” writes HVIA CEO Todd Hacking in his document foreword.
“Representing over 300 corporate organisations, HVIA members range from Australian manufacturers and importers of trucks and trailers to heavy vehicle dealerships, repairers, and suppliers of equipment, componentry and technology throughout the supply chain.
“As the sector undergoes transformation, these organisations are navigating the challenges of maintaining competitiveness, adapting to new technologies, addressing changing skills needs, and managing industry-wide disruptions.”
HVIA has released its federal election priorities. Image: HVIAHacking said the Australian heavy vehicle sector requires government assistance to address pressing issues such as the transition to cleaner, more sustainable vehicle fleets, the development of infrastructure for new technologies, support for workforce upskilling and measures to boost productivity.
“We recommend five key actions to strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of the heavy vehicle sector.
“These actions are essential to not only improve the safety of the fleet but also in securing a sustainable future for Australian heavy vehicle manufacturers and importers while driving innovation and achieving government objectives.”
Recommendation 1: Assist Australian manufacturers of trucks and trailers
• Facilitate access to financing and investment via government programs.
• Guarantee affordable and reliable energy supply.
• Encourage local sourcing and supply chains via government policies; and
• Support workforce development by working with state and territory governments to remove apprenticeship wages from payroll tax.
Recommendation 2: Support the net zero transition of heavy vehicles
• Publish a heavy vehicle-specific net zero roadmap that outlines strategies and initiatives to:
• Remove regulatory barriers to adoption of zero-emissions vehicles;
• Support the private sector to deploy battery electric charging and hydrogen refuelling stations nationwide;
• Fund R&D of low carbon liquid fuel alternatives such as renewable diesel;
• Provide incentives to offset the higher cost of purchasing LZEHVs;
• Ensure energy infrastructure that can meet the future demands of LZEHVs; and
• Use and publish data to support evidence-based policies that reward the adoption and use of higher productivity vehicles.
Recommendation 3: Grow the future heavy vehicle workforce
• Fund fee-free TAFE placements in all trades listed on the Core Skills Occupation List.
• Expand apprenticeship pathways by introducing tailored apprenticeship programs specifically focused on emerging technologies.
• Upskill the existing workforce and create a new pipeline of skilled workers.
• Incentivise RTOs to offer courses in trades listed on the CSOL and others facing shortages.
• Launch a public awareness campaign to highlight traditional trades as a foundation for a lucrative and rewarding career; and
• Reform the VET sector to develop alternative educational pathways that recognise and support hands-on, school-based learners.
Recommendation 4: Enable higher productivity heavy vehicles
• Harmonise regulations across all states and territories.
• Expand the number of routes accessible to high-productivity vehicles.
• Boost adoption of PBS combinations by transitioning proven designs into general regulations.
• Enact direct financial incentives to drive uptake of safer, more efficient and less polluting vehicles; and
• Improve data collection to enable evidence-based decision-making that drives better policy outcomes relating to safety and productivity.
Recommendation 5: Optimise Australia’s road infrastructure
• Ensure roads and bridges are properly designed and funded to meet the needs of the freight sector now and into the future.
• Adopt a risk-based approach to asset management rather than focusing solely on preservation of roads and bridges.
• Protect future freight corridors from incompatible development that may hinder their use.
• Foster greater interoperability within the network to improve efficiency by standardising regulations, vehicle requirements, and operational practices across states/territories; and
• Address the future fuelling and recharging needs of the road freight industry with an infrastructure plan that aligns with the Net Zero Roadmap.
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