April 20, 2016
The controversial Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal – whose pay order caused heartache over the past few months to owner-driver truckies – will wink out of existence on Thursday.
On Tuesday, Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove signed off on the “Road Safety Remuneration Repeal Act 2016” which means the tribunal will cease to operate.
The repeal Bill passed through the House of Representatives and the Senate on Monday, gaining the backing of cross-bench senators Jacqui Lambie, Nick Xenophon, John Madigan, Glenn Lazarus, Dio Wang and Bob Day.
Truck drivers who defied the pay order during its short lifespan will not be penalised.
While confusion still reigned over the future of the RSRT and its pay order, the office of the Fair Work Ombudsman issued a public statement saying it would not punish truckies.
“Given ongoing confusion and concern surrounding the introduction of the 2016 Order, the Fair Work Ombudsman wishes to make it abundantly clear that as the Regulator charged with monitoring and enforcing compliance with the Order, it has no intention of seeking enforcement outcomes to early contraventions that may be identified. Such action would not be in the public interest,” the statement said.
The ALP and unions supported the pay order, claiming that increasing truck drivers’ rates would lessen pressure on them and improve road safety.
However, small family businesses said it would mean they could no longer compete with large companies and would drive them out of business.
Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott was one of the Coalition MPs who voted to scrap the Tribunal.
“The Maranoa electorate represents about 42 per cent of Queensland and the trucking sector plays an integral part in our transportation network,” Mr Scott said.
“The Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal was created in a deal by the former Labor Government and the Transport Workers Union with the Payments Order being implemented this year.
“In true Labor fashion, they created a tribunal of industry umpires without proper consultation and made an anti-competitive decision.
“Only a Coalition Government supports small business and reduces red tape which threatens to strangle the real engine room of our economy, employing almost half the private-sector work force.”
He said two studies had recommended the RSRT be dismantled, showing there was no conclusive proof between rates of remuneration and safety outcomes.
Related articles
- MP Backs Bid To Scrap Tribunal
- PM Promises To Scrap Tribunal
- Court Delays Truckie Order
- Family Truckies ‘Face Ruin’
- New Contract Rules Threaten Truckies
External link: Fact Check – Do Better Pay Rates For Truck Drivers Improve Safety?
