The Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal has announced an inquiry into the cash in transit sector.
The Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT) will despatch two of its members to investigate practices in the cash in transit sector.
Tribunal president Jennifer Acton announced the inquiry, which was last year flagged in the RSRT’s second annual work program, along with timeframes for hearings and submissions to allow for industry input.
RSRT members Steve Hutchins and Paul Ryan will be tasked with carrying out the inquiry and providing interim and final reports on their findings and recommendations.
Hutchins is a former federal Labor senator and has previously served as president of the Transport Workers Union (TWU), while Paul Ryan is an industrial relations specialist with the Australian Road Transport Industrial Organisation (ARTIO).
“The Cash in Transit industry means the transport of cash, securities and other financial instruments, bullion and other precious goods and materials, including valuables such as gold and jewels and other commercially negotiable articles and/or transactions,” Acton says in a written statement announcing the investigation.
The TWU last year urged the tribunal to consider an investigation into the cash in transit sector on the basis pressure from banks and retailer businesses were jeopardising safety and security standards.
Acton says the inquiry may lead to the tribunal issuing a road safety remuneration order.
The order can stipulate minimum rates and payment conditions for employee and contractor drivers, conditions covering loading and unloading practices and measures to remove incentives or pressures that may encourage unsafe work practices.
Acton says a number of prior matters related to the cash in transit sector, such as an inquiry that was conducted into the industry in NSW between 1995 and 1997, will be considered as part of the RSRT’s work.
“It is also understood that a uniform code of practice for safety and security standards in the Cash in Transit industry, and its enforcement, is currently being considered by interested persons,” Acton’s statement reads.
“These matters, amongst others, are expected to form part of the Tribunal’s inquiry into the sectors in the Cash in Transit industry.”
Acton has invited the industry to lodge submissions to the inquiry by August 25.
Hearings will also be held in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin between September 1 and October 13 to deal with oral submissions.
Acton says those wishing to appear at the hearings need to inform the RSRT by August 28.
Photography: Brad Gardner