Over to you YOUR SAY
Letters to the editor Open letter of concern for the transport industry
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s predicted many years ago, the driver shortage is now biting hard. Almost every company, large and small, are suffering the consequences of intergenerational hand sitting, from both Government and industry leaders. Even the big companies, whose practice of driver poaching, is not working for them now. To their credit, the WA state government, has allocated some funding for a driver training pilot scheme in Collie. However, it seems not well supported with resources or clear vision as to what the outcomes should be. It is my understanding that in the Collie pilot scheme initial intake of students, there was over 50 candidates. However, when told that the course did not include a licence upgrade from the minimum HR to HC, fifty immediately withdrew their candidacy, leaving only seven to continue. This is the same story we had with the Blue Card system. Why bother participating when there
is no benefit or outcome which gives the student a pathway into the industry or better pay and conditions for higher skill levels. Any training must provide skills which benefit the employer and are worth more money to the participant, or at least an upgraded licence. How can we have a situation where we have 7% unemployment and up to 15% youth unemployment, especially in the regions and no one to drive trucks? The issue is the cost of getting the licence. This is the single biggest hurdle facing a prospective entrant into the transport sector. The licence cost for a young person on unemployment benefits or a low wage is the problem. Government just seems unable to recognise this and seems happy for these people to remain on social welfare instead of stumping up the cost of getting these people a licence and off a long-term demoralising welfare system. It just makes no sense to be paying people $30,000 plus a year to look
More protection for small businesses
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mall businesses will soon be better protected when entering into contracts with big business after federal and state governments made a joint agreement to outlaw unfair contract terms. Unfair contract protections were extended to small businesses back in 2016, however, under current laws, unfair contract terms are not illegal, which means contract terms can be voided by courts but civil penalties cannot be imposed. Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar announced the government has secured the agreement of state and territory consumer affairs ministers to strengthen protections for SMEs, saying the changes will:
• make unfair terms unlawful and give courts the power to impose a civil penalty; • expand the definition of small business and removing the requirement for a contract to be below a certain value; and • clarify what is a ‘standard form contract’ and when the protections apply. Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell welcomed the national agreement, saying financial penalties will be “a real disincentive” for large businesses to have unfair contract terms and the new guidelines will see a significant expansion to the size of businesses covered by the protections.
for work and not pay a one off two or three thousand dollars for a truck drivers’ licence. Would it not benefit the entire community for a welfare recipient to become a tax payer? People who want to contribute are not being assisted sensibly by government and the industry needs to stop complaining about it stand up and be counted. Our goal of professionalising the transport industry, making it safer for all road users and creating a pathway to a future apprenticeship, is now a reality. However, it is still a pilot initiative. The industry needs all involved supporting this initiative moving forward. It must have an objective and that is a licence upgrade. Industry support to encourage both students and operators to see value in this initiative is crucial. If government would subsidise existing employees with an HR licence that wish to upgrade and employers also contribute, this may yet be a salvageable scheme. We need to get serious about this situation or the entire Australian community will eventually suffer. It is the same principle as the farmers now ploughing in crops because they have no one to pick fruit and vegetables. Companies are about to have trucks parked up and produce just will not be able to get to market. Let’s make this happen. On another note, I also read with interest and frustration the letter to the Main Roads in the November edition of WA Transport Magazine regarding no toilet facilities at a new parking bay. Main Roads suggested that it was not too far into town and if truck drivers needed to go to the toilet or refresh themselves, then they could drive into town. This is a pretty flippant comment at best and shows the contempt with which our industry is held. I did make a similar comment regarding the Bunbury road train assembly area which also has nothing in the way of facilities for drivers. The Federal Government allocated 10 million dollars for this facility. Mark Mazza CEO Express Group WA. WATM • December 2020
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