Minister encourages industry members to have their say in shaping the next round of safety programs
Federal infrastructure and transport minister Darren Chester is inviting transport industry members to express where they would want government funding to be invested.
The statement comes as consultation begins on the next round of heavy vehicle safety initiatives that will be backed by an annual federal funding of $3.8 million.
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) CEO Sal Petroccitto says industry members and representative bodies should share their knowledge and views on how to improve safety across the transport sector.
“I want to hear from operators and industry on the next round of safety initiatives and ensure that funding for heavy vehicle safety continues to hit the mark,” Chester says.
“Australia’s truck drivers help get our exports to the world, help get food from farmers to families and freight from Point A to Point B and we are serious about making our roads safer for all road users, including heavy vehicle drivers who play such a valuable role in our national economy.
“The federal government is supporting a number of current programs under the heavy vehicle safety initiative including information on chain of responsibility, support to develop industry codes of practice and automatic number plate recognition cameras.
“We are also investing $254.6 million under our Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program in better roads and rest facilities for heavy vehicles throughout the nation.”
Chester says the government wants to see initiatives that help reduce the number of heavy vehicles crashes in the country.
“We don’t pretend to have all the answers, which is why we are asking heavy vehicle operators and peak industry bodies to harness their existing knowledge and apply for funding where appropriate,” Petroccitto says.
“We are particularly looking at programs that can be delivered nationally to enhance safety across the heavy vehicle industry and therefore the safety of all road users.”
Last day to apply is March 21. For more information, visit NHVR’s website.