POPULAR WORDS

February 8, 2010

Transport Ministers and leaders from across the Asia-Pacific will meet in Melbourne next week to share experiences and approaches to road transport safety and productivity.

Hosted by the Minister for Infrastructure Anthony Albanese, the meetingwill include transport ministers from Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand, as well as the chairs of organisations such as the Australian Trucking Association (ATA).

Aimed at identifying areas of common interest and pilot initiatives that could be taken to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council, delegates are expected to discuss a range of issues including driver training, harmonisation of standards, vehicle size, driving times and loadings and driver fatigue.

ATA Chairman Trevor Martyn will be is attending the event and says the meeting will be a good chance for industry and regulators from across the region to shape how transport will grow in the coming years.

“As the economy grows, the size of the freight task will continue to expand. The majority of the growth in the freight task will be carried by the trucking industry,” Martyn says.

“This meeting has the potential to develop standards that could apply not only in Australia, but across the Asia-Pacific."

If successful, Martyn says consistent policy will help local operators grow their business into new markets.