Amanda Rishworth (Kingston, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

I'd like to thank the member for Blair for his question, because he's someone that always backs Aussie truckers. Our road transport industry is vital to keeping our nation's economy moving. Without trucks and their drivers, the movement of essential supplies across Australia would stop. It's truckies like Justin, who I met this morning on his overnight stop. He was very generous to talk to me, because he hadn't been to sleep yet. He is one of the many hardworking Australians ensuring that food and goods are delivered to where they're needed, and it's this government that wants to give truckies like Justin a fair go. That is why our government has passed significant reforms to ensure that our road transport industry is strong and resilient for Australia's future. We are cracking down on sham contracting and have increased penalties for employers who dodge their obligations to their employees.

The government has also introduced strong powers for the Fair Work Commission to set fair minimum standards across the road transport supply chain, ensuring that our truckies and transport operators get a fair go. Under the current legislation, the Fair Work Commission must consult when setting contract chain orders for a minimum of six months. As our country experiences the impact of the war in the Middle East, our government recognises the need to establish an urgent pathway for truckies to argue for their fair share in the Fair Work Commission. That is why our government today announced that we will amend the Fair Work Act to enable the commission to respond more quickly to contract chain order applications in time sensitive circumstances. This is so truckies and transport operators aren't left to worry about managing rising costs on their own. Consultation will not be removed. The commission will still need to step through its processes, but it will be able to act more quickly, helping to maintain business viability in the current volatile environment. It is critical that the costs of rising fuel prices are shared fairly through our supply chain so that our truckies and transport businesses can remain viable.

The government's announcement has been widely supported by industry, including the Australian Road Transport Industrial Organisation, the National Road Freighters Association, the Transport Workers' Union and the Australian Trucking Association, whose CEO, Mat Munro, today said that the ATA stands with the government in full support of its announcement. The question for those opposite is: will they stand with Australian truckies when this legislation comes to the parliament?

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