Louise Markus (Greenway, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration and Citizenship) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak on the AusLink (National Land Transport) Amendment Bill 2008. Many people take for granted that the food we buy is waiting for us on supermarket shelves. The role of truck drivers who move freight around our country should not be underestimated. They and their families make sacrifices to ensure there is money in the budget to pay the bills and to put food on the table. It often comes at a great cost not only physically but also socially and psychologically. According to one report by the New South Wales transport industry, many work an average of 62 hours a week and some are working more than 100 hours. Mr Deputy Speaker, could you imagine yourself spending that much time behind the wheel focusing on a long strip of road ahead?

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