HVIA’s CEO and chief advocacy officer made the trip to Parliament House to continue advocating for different issues in the heavy vehicle industry
The Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) says it had a productive advocacy trip to Canberra last week, meeting with ministers, their staff, peak bodies and other relevant stakeholders to advance arguments for the heavy vehicle industry.
CEO Todd Hacking and chief advocacy officer Adele Lausberg met with federal transport and infrastructure minister Catherine King to discuss the recent Safer Freight Vehicle changes.
The national approach to decarbonisation of the freight transport sector and upcoming roadmap to net zero was also discussed.
HVIA says they specifically focused on the role of trucks and trailers and the related ecosystem, and the federal government’s opportunity to provide leadership within the state infrastructure and transport minister’s meetings.
The transition to net zero was also discussed with both the federal assistant transport minister and federal climate change minister offices. HVIA says the assistant transport minister’s office is open to remain engaged with the industry on upcoming regulatory consultations.
It then met with the recently established Net Zero Unit, which is responsible for drafting the heavy vehicle roadmap to net zero emissions.
Speaking with first assistant secretary Ian Porter, HVIA says the roadmap is expected to be released in the first half of 2024. It also says the LITE Project Driving Committee will assist in preparing its response.
Skills required to transition to net zero were also raised at a meeting with the federal skills and training minister’s office. HVIA says the office understands the current and anticipated gaps in the training system.
It also met with the new CEO of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) Amy Crawford, along with transport and infrastructure policy director Sanjiv Sathiah.
HVIA says it will continue to advocate on this issue with these and other relevant stakeholders.