As 2025 draws to a close, it’s worth reflecting on the issues that have shaped our industry and the advocacy efforts the Victorian Transport Association has led on behalf of members.
This year has been one of significant challenges and opportunities, and I’m proud of the progress we’ve made in advancing the interests of freight and logistics operators across Victoria and beyond.
Early in the year, we renewed our call for the repeal of Part X of the Competition and Consumer Act, a relic of a bygone era that continues to enable anticompetitive behaviour in global shipping.
The pandemic exposed the fragility of international supply chains, and Part X has only compounded the problem by allowing shipping lines to manipulate capacity and drive up rates.
These practices have placed enormous pressure on Australian businesses and consumers, with costs cascading down to road and rail operators.
Our message to government has been clear: repeal Part X, restore competition, and protect the integrity of our supply chains. This remains unfinished business, and we will continue to press for reform.
Mid-year, attention turned to industrial relations and the implementation of the Closing the Loopholes legislation, which integrated our industry into the Fair Work Commission’s framework.
This was a landmark achievement for transport operators, providing a mechanism for setting and enforcing minimum standards across the sector.
The establishment of the Road Transport Advisory Group was a critical step forward, ensuring that the voices of employers and contractors are heard in decisions that affect our industry.
While this reform was a win, it also highlighted the ongoing need for vigilance in areas such as skills development, safety standards, and technology adoption.
These priorities will remain front and centre in 2026. More recently, we have shone a spotlight on the scourge of sham contracting, a practice that undermines fair competition and exploits vulnerable workers.
Misclassifying employees as contractors not only strips them of basic protections but also distorts the market, squeezing out ethical operators who do the right thing.
The VTA has called for a coordinated national response involving the ATO, Fair Work Commission, and other agencies to investigate and prosecute sham contracting.
This is not just an industrial issue — it’s a moral one, and we will continue to lead the charge for reform.
At a Victorian level, we’ve achieved tangible wins for members. Our advocacy secured the revocation of permit costs from January 2026, eliminating a burden that only Victoria imposed.
We’ve also seen continued investment in the Driver Delivery program, which has produced over 400 job-ready heavy vehicle drivers, including more than 100 women — a milestone for diversity in our workforce.
And through our Alternative Fuel Summit, we’ve led the conversation on decarbonisation, ensuring that the transition to cleaner energy is managed sensibly and with members’ productivity and profitability in mind.
Looking ahead to 2026, our commitment to strong advocacy will only intensify.
With a Victorian state election on the horizon, the coming year presents a unique opportunity to influence policy and secure outcomes that benefit our members.
We will be engaging with all sides of politics to ensure that freight and logistics remain a priority in infrastructure planning, regulatory reform, and workforce development.
The stakes are high, and the VTA will be at the forefront of these conversations, championing the interests of our industry with the same determination that has defined our work this year.
As we close out 2025, I want to thank our members for their support and engagement. Your insights and feedback drive our advocacy and keep us focused on what matters most.
On behalf of the VTA, I extend my warmest wishes for a safe and joyful Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Here’s to a successful 2026 — together, we can make it happen.
Peter Anderson
CEO, VTA
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