The Queensland Trucking Association’s (QTA) advocacy priorities focus on Roads, Regulations, Access, Industrial Relations, and Workforce in the Road Freight Industry.
Understanding the interconnection between these areas is crucial as the industry navigates future challenges and opportunities.
1. Infrastructure built for trucks – Why is this important?
The severe weather events so far in 2025 have once again highlighted the challenges of our ageing roads and bridges with every freight route in and out of North Queensland impacted, as well as the western regional communities recently cut off due to severe flooding. Strategic investment in roads and bridges is needed now to mitigate the impacts of these regular occurrences.
When roads are designed for trucks, other road users also benefit as it leads to fewer accidents and disruptions, thereby increasing overall productivity in the freight sector. With money now committed for the Inland Freight Route and the Bruce Highway, the QTA will continue to lobby for works in areas that will make impacts in the short term to improve safety and open up access for high productivity multi-combinations.
2. Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) – Future thinking
It is time to foster a forward-thinking approach to how the heavy vehicle industry is regulated. The HVNL needs real reform to reduce the bureaucratic burden on the transport operators and allow them to focus on their core business activities. The QTA advocates for the HVNL to reflect the adoption of new technologies, such as telematics and driver monitoring systems. The QTA is underwhelmed with the current amendment package being proposed as this will see the industry potentially work with the same legislation for up to 30 years with very little change. In this fast-paced world of change and technology innovation, this is just not acceptable. It is time for an agile legislative setting that meets the times.
Working towards greater productivity and efficiency.3. Access – Enabling business
Many operators in Queensland would say ‘what access?’ It is a fundamental consideration for businesses reliant on road freight. Apart from the state of the roads, this would be the highest on the list of frustrations for the industry. In Queensland, limiting access for high productivity multi-combinations is contributing to increased costs, more truck trips and severely hampering productivity. The QTA will continue to advocate for investment and safety upgrades to road infrastructure that will create efficiencies, facilitate better routing and scheduling and provide safe and accessible rest areas.
4. Fair industrial relations
Fair industrial relations (IR) ensure a balanced and equitable environment for all stakeholders in the freight industry. Enhanced industry standards resulting from the Closing the Loopholes legislation will help to create a fairer environment with minimum standards, enforcing freight clients and transport companies to adopt best practices. Transport is the only industry that has representation within the Fair Work Commission through the Road Transport Division. This means that both employers and employees have a voice when determining minimum standards. This will ensure that the industry is complying with safe and fair standards.
5. Workforce – Safe and competent drivers
To improve the quality of drivers, the focus needs to change from the licensing requirements towards implementing a subsided employment program that gives employers a way to provide adequate on-the-job, mentored training of between 120-160 work hours. This much needed, on-road, practical driving experience is not attainable through current licensing processes. The barrier to this is the cost of having two drivers in a truck and high insurance excesses to employ inexperienced or newly licensed drivers. The QTA advocates for wage subsidies or concessions to offset the cost to implement this to create job-ready, safe and competent truck drivers.
Effective advocacy
The interplay between infrastructure, regulations, access, industrial relations, and workforce dynamics forms the backbone of a productive road freight industry. By advocating in these areas, the QTA is achieving favourable outcomes for the industry.
Through effective advocacy, the QTA helps ensure that the road freight sector is prepared for future challenges, ultimately enhancing efficiency, productivity and sustainability. QTA offers membership to all size fleets and industry suppliers.
To find out more or to join the QTA, please call 07 3394 4388 or visit qta.com.au.
[signup]
The post The five pillars of a thriving road freight industry appeared first on Big Rigs.