Returning transport minister has a to-do list from the state body
The Queensland Trucking Association has greeted Mark Bailey’s return as state transport and main roads minister with a five-point plan to generate efficiencies in trucking.
Bailey has been freed of non-transport portfolios, such as energy, biofuels and water supply, now Labor has formed a government and instituted a cabinet reshuffle.
Meanwhile, Cameron Dick will be appointed minister for state development, infrastructure and planning and minister for manufacturing, with responsibility for Economic Development Queensland and Queensland Reconstruction Authority.
“The association has established strong foundations with Minister Bailey over the past few years and look forward to continuing to work with him,” QTA CEO Gary Mahon says.
“We will urge the minister to deliver on our Five Key Road Freight Priorities to ensure the safe and efficient carriage of goods which is fundamental to us all and the energy of our economy.
“The road freight networks, within states, across states and to our shipping ports, remains a focus for ensuring the efficient distribution of goods. Increasing productivity on our key road freight corridors to keep pace with contemporary efficiency demands is not discretionary but imperative for our economy.”
Top of the pre-election to-do list is opening major freight routes to high productivity vehicles (HPV), specifically increasing Toowoomba -Port of Brisbane and Gladstone-Central Highlands to heavy mass limits and Roma-Toowoomba to HPV.
Also sought are: a streamlining efficient combination approvals; overcharging and tolling reform; easing the regulatory burden; a stronger emphasis on vocational education and training.
The QTA’s full five-point priority list can be found here.