Minister insists Senate support so far only goes to RSRO delay rather than RSRT abolition
Federal employment minister Michaelia Cash has called on owner-drivers to bring their trucks and grievances to Canberra over the Contractor Driver Minimum Payments Road Safety Remuneration Order 2016 (RSRO).
“Quite frankly, get your trucks out and, if you have to, do a convoy to Canberra,” Cash tells radio station 2GB’s Ross Greenwood last night.
“That’s how serious this issue is and that’s how serious the Turnbull government takes this issue.”
The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) is keen on the idea and says it will lead the way in a Convoy to Canberra on April 18.
“The ATA’s own Safety Truck will take the lead of the convoy, and I’d like to invite minister Cash to ride with us in Safety Truck’s passenger seat,” ATA chief executive Christopher Melham says.
“The ATA is proud to organise this Convoy to Canberra. It’s essential that ministers and senators understand just how many small operators will be threatened by this payments order.”
The move came as independent senator Glenn Lazarus made plain his belief that direct action would ensue.
“Convoys are about to take place across the country!,” Lazarus states on his facebook page.
Along with the effort, which will have echoes of the 2011 ‘Convoy of No Confidence’ if realised, Cash urges calls be made to opposition leader Bill Shorten’s office.
With the order in force, she also advises affected parties to clarify their positions with the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT) and the Fair Work Ombudsman.
She also appears to agree that the RSRO net could open wider than truck owner-drivers to encompass.
On parliamentary moves, she says legislating a delay is the first priority as Senate numbers for abolishing the RSRT were unavailable.
“I need to work with what my reality is – my reality is that I need six cross-benchers,” Cash says.
“Labor and the Greens will not support this legislation to vote for the stay.
“Some [cross-benchers] have indicated they will vote for the stay but they will not vote for the abolition.”