Bruce Scott (Maranoa, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, thank you, Deputy Speaker. I am saying that the truck operators are finding it very difficult to attract drivers. They pay above award rates to attract drivers now because they have to keep their businesses going. If they do not have a driver, they do not have a business. They are competing with the mining sector, in terms of the salaries that the mining sector can pay, to be able to run their businesses.

I find clause 33(6)(a) extraordinary. It says: 'The effect of this amendment is that any contract between a group of independent contractors'—that is, owner-drivers—'and a hirer must be approved by the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal'. Section 33 in the original bill stated that the tribunal may grant approval for the road transport collective agreements where certain conditions are met. I can assure you, Minister, that if I went to the owner-operators and truck operators in my electorate and said, 'If you want to hire a new driver, you must be approved by the road Safety Remuneration Tribunal'—they are desperate to keep their businesses moving ahead; they have to keep the wheels moving or otherwise they do not have a business—I would not like to repeat in this House the language they would use in reply to me. It would have to be approved by the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal. How long will that take? Weeks? Months? If you are out in Western Queensland and have to bring livestock in when there is a window of opportunity after the floods—

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