The COVID pandemic continues to disrupt our way of life in so many ways. The Road Transport Industry has been able to maintain its supply chains throughout these adversities and keep our communities supplied with the goods they need to survive the conditions of restrictions, lock downs and closures.
The Road Transport industry has maintained its disciplines and procedures to ensure it does not spread the virus throughout the community. Our record of millions of deliveries, over millions of kilometres travelled, over the past 18 months and the number of outbreaks being able to be counted on one hand, is an outstanding result and one upon which the industry is proud.
While we applaud all of the efforts of those companies, drivers and operators that have made the record such a good result, the task of maintaining these supply chains is becoming increasingly harder. Enforcement at the border of states is becoming intolerant. Interstate drivers must be pathology tested every three days and now the Queensland Government is giving the 30,000 strong interstate truck driving community a threat to be vaccinated or not enter Queensland.
The Road Transport industry is not being recognised by National cabinet and at State road manager level or by the Chief Health Officers.
The Road Transport industry is an Essential Service. Yet we are not being recognised by the authorities as exactly that.
Stop the supply chains and people will not eat.
The road transport industry is willing to comply with the rules to limit the spreading of the virus:
- COVID Safe Plans
- Individual Driver COVID training
- Deep cleaning of vehicles
- Isolation when interstate
- Wearing of mask and hand sanitising
- State entry permits
- Pathology COVID test EVERY three days
And a large number of additional conditions that are complied with every day.
The penalties for getting it wrong from state authorities have a huge financial impact:
| State | Individual | Company |
| Queensland | $1,378.00 | $6,892.00 |
| New South Wales | $1,000.00 | $10,000.00 |
| Victoria | $1,672.00 | $5,472.00 |
| Tasmania | $1,557.00 | $17,300.00 |
| Northern Territory | $5,000.00 | $25,000.00 |
| ACT | $1,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| South Australia | $1,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| Western Australia | $1,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
NatRoad and the following state based transport associations support the protection of the community:
- Victorian Transport Association
- NT Road Transport Association
- Tasmanian Transport Association
- Queensland Transport Association
- Western Roads Federation
Our industry needs to be formally recognised as an Essential Service.
We are calling on our politicians and health authorities to recognise the value of the services we provide.
