Posse of industry groups fail to get extra time to respond to submissions on RSRT's draft remuneration order
By Brad Gardner | August 9, 2013
A posse of industry groups has failed in its bid to be given at least four more weeks to respond to submissions lodged with the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT) on its draft remuneration order.
The New South Wales Business Chamber and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) applied for a further four to six to weeks to respond, arguing the volume of submissions the tribunal received meant it was impossible for any party to meet the August 8 deadline.
The Australian Industry Group, the NSW branch of the Australian Trucking Association, NatRoad and the Australian Road Transport Industrial Organisation (ARTIO) all backed the application, along with the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA). Toll also supported the application.
However, RSRT President Jennifer Acton ruled the tribunal was satisfied with the existing deadline and it would not be extended.
“We are not persuaded we should vacate the timetable we have established. We recognise the volume of written submissions and associated witness statements and other evidence made to the Tribunal. However, several companies have already made written comments in reply in accordance with the revised timetable we established on 23 July 2013,” Acton says in her written ruling.
“Further, the hearings scheduled for 12 to 16 August 2012 provide an opportunity for oral evidence in reply to be presented to the Tribunal, as sought by Coles.”
The Transport Workers Union and a number of small trucking operators that lodged submissions in response to the RSRT’s draft remuneration order opposed the Business Chamber’s and the ACCI’s application.
The RSRT previously gave industry more time to respond to the issues detailed in the draft order, extending the deadline from July 12 to 23.
The order mandates terms and conditions parties in the supply chain must. It stipulates 14-day payment terms, paid waiting times, written contracts for all drivers, safe driving plans and for businesses to implement training and drug and alcohol policies.
