Archive, Industry News

Linfox looks to clear the air on RSRT

Peter Fox highlights submission positions and notes company’s long-standing position safety standards

Linfox has joined Toll and the Australian Logistics Council (ALC) in seeking to clarify its position in relation to the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT) and its Contractor Driver Minimum Payments Road Safety Remuneration Order 2016 (RSRO).

While the company does not object to an order being imposed on the long-distance sector in principle, it believes such an order is impracticable and unworkable.

It points to its submission to the RSRT’s RSRO delay inquiry, from which it quotes four points:

“The setting of minimum rates for contract owner drivers engaged in long distance operations is a more complex task than the setting of minimum rates for contract drivers engaged in local supermarket distribution operations

“it’s also not right to all of a sudden put a transport operator in a position where his freight charges double. He has no ability to recover that from a consignor

“It would just be a fundamental turning on its head of the current transport arrangements.”

“Owner drivers are important to our business and we operate with a limited number of owner drivers who provide services during peak periods,” executive chairman Peter Fox says.

“Media reports claiming that Linfox stands to benefit from the long distance order are inaccurate, create confusion and exacerbate concerns in the industry and among members of the public.

“Linfox does support the introduction of minimum national safety standards for the transport sector. These standards are long overdue and need to be developed and implemented as a matter of urgency.”

In a position also advocated by the ALC, of which it is a member, Fox says Linfox continues to advocate for improved safety on roads and the compulsory introduction of in-cab telematics or European style ‘black box’ technology “as essential”.

“Addressing safety requires real commitment and it is the view of the business that the compulsory introduction of advanced telematics is a top priority for both the industry and government regulators,” he says.

“Linfox implores the federal government to legislate in this area. To do so will bring about an immediate and real improvement in safety on Australian roads.”

Previous ArticleNext Article
Send this to a friend