Queensland LNP emphasises the need for ongoing discussion on key trucking issues.
The incumbent Queensland Government has committed to working with the state’s trucking industry on key issues if it wins the January 31 election.
However, the Liberal-National Party (LNP) has shied away from making any firm pledges in its response to the Queensland Trucking Association’s (QTA) list of priorities that outline what the group wants the next government to focus on.
Queensland LNP state director Brad Henderson has written to the QTA to say the party looks forward to continuing a productive working relationship with the association.
Henderson says the LNP is keen to discuss with the QTA its concerns about chain of responsibility, national heavy vehicle regulations, heavy vehicle combinations and access to the road network.
Henderson has also suggested a similar approach to heavy vehicle charges, particularly around the contentious issue of mass-distance-location pricing.
“On Mass-Distance-Location pricing the Newman LNP Government agrees with the QTA that some of the previous modelling undertaken was problematic. We would welcome the opportunity for further discussion in this policy area,” Henderson says.
Furthermore, Henderson says the LNP will support regulatory reform to improve cross-border freight movements and will also involve the QTA on the development of a national heavy vehicle registration scheme.
“The National Registration system is an important initiative and we look forward to working with the QTA on how this might be successfully implemented in the coming term of Government,” Henderson writes.
He adds that the LNP will “continue to investigate the introduction of further rest areas on major freight routes”, but he did not list any specific examples.
“If re-elected we will continue to invest in critical infrastructure to help make the transport network as efficient as possible,” Henderson writes.
“I am sure you are well aware of the major infrastructure projects recently announced that will benefit your industry as well as the many projects such as the Bruce Highway, Warrego Highway and the Gateway Upgrade North.”
Queensland premier Campbell Newman has promised road infrastructure upgrades under a re-elected LNP government, but the projects hinge on whether he can privatise state assets under 99-year leases.
The QTA earlier this month sent a five-page document detailing the industry’s priorities, which include amendments to national heavy vehicle regulations, continued government support for the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and a reduction in heavy vehicle charges.