LRTAWA – Our licensing system needs repair

LRTAWA by David Fyfe, President, Livestock and Rural Transport Association of Western Australia (Inc)

Our licensing system needs repair

Several times in the last few weeks, well respected members of our industry have told me of their fears in driving on the Great Eastern Highway because of the dangerous behaviour shown by some truck drivers.

In one notable example the head of a successful company has surrendered a portion of the company’s usual work because in his words he ‘can no longer ask his drivers to put themselves at risk on that stretch of road’ so he would prefer not to do the work. As noble as these actions are, the end result is that a safe and reliable operator, with well trained and experienced drivers, will likely be replaced by drivers of the kind being complained of.

I’m sure most people reading this

Boost for remaining Australian Refineries

A $2.3 billion taxpayer boost has been given to Australia’s two remaining oil refineries to stay open.

Described as a matter of economic and national security by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, the package also includes $302 million to help both companies upgrade their facilities.

The money will be shared between Ampol in Brisbane and Viva Energy in Geelong and is based on how much petrol and diesel each refinery produces and what profit margin they make on the fuel.

The package is estimated to preserve 1250 jobs and save drivers one cent per litre on petrol.

Australian Workers Union national secretary Daniel Walton said, “We’ve been saying for months Australia should never become a nation that can't make its own fuel and that we need not reach that dire situation if we get a few policy settings right.”

“We couldn't afford to become a nation without the capacity to produce crucial fuels, hoping shipping lanes remain open.”

Australia’s refining capacity has been sliding backwards for more than a decade and as a consequence, BP closed down its refinery at Kwinana in WA and ExxonMobil shut its plant at Altona in Victoria.

Obviously, if the two remaining refineries were to close, Australia would be forced to import all its fuel.

Transformation of Mitchell Freeway

The $448 million upgrade of the Mitchell Freeway is now underway creating more than 2,200 local jobs.

Three separate projects have commenced construction with the aim of busting congestion and reducing travel times to Perth’s northern suburbs.

The $232 million Mitchell Freeway Extension project will extend the freeway north from