In 2010, the ATA presented its members’ case to the Australian Government and the broader community through:
- 18 formal submissions to the Australian Government and agencies like the National Transport Commission;
- 10 presentations at conferences and seminars, apart from the Australian Trucking Convention and the Technical and Maintenance Conference;
- 52 media releases;
- 47 issues of the ATA weekly’s newsletter; and
- 8 fact sheets.
The figures are in the ATA’s 2010 annual report, which ATA Chairman David Simon presented to its Annual General Meeting on 30 March 2011.
In the report, he said his focus in 2011 would be on delivering the association’s new strategic plan.
“We have the opportunity to get the national laws we have been demanding for 20 years, but it’s not done and dusted. At some levels of the regulatory authorities there is a reluctance to agree to national laws, and we have to push for the right outcome,” he said.
“We need to take a strong stance on improving the viability of trucking businesses. The current issue is charges and the amount imposed on B-double leads. We have to fight harder on that and achieve outcomes.
“We need to campaign for increased knowledge throughout the industry of the importance of fitness for duty, and particularly sleep disorders. There are a significant number of people affected by sleep disorders. In my own company, I have seven or eight drivers receiving treatment for sleep disorders who are much better for it.
“This year we’ll see the first of the ATA’s research projects, which are an examination of the industry’s environmental credentials and a stocktake of truck safety research.
“We’ll also see the release of the new Technical Advisory Procedures, and continued industry promotion and education through the ATA’s events and the Road Ahead.”
