The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association has called on the federal government to adopt a voluntary accreditation model developed by Australia’s rural freight sector to save the economy up to $1.1 billion each year.
In its submission to the economic reform roundtable, the association championed the 6-Star Trucking model, a practical and industry-led framework that rewards operators who go beyond baseline standards in fatigue, maintenance, animal welfare, biosecurity and training.
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Economic modelling indicates potential national savings between $422 million and $1.1 billion per year, based on data from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) and Austroads.
ALRTA President Gerard Johnson says the model offers exactly what the Treasurer is looking for: productivity gains that are specific, scalable and budget positive.
“This is not theory; it’s real-world reform,” Johnson says.
“We’re talking about safer roads, lower premiums, fewer crashes and stronger supply chains.
“The 6-Star model has been designed by industry with real-world conditions in mind. What we need now is national support to put it into action.”
The submission also calls for a national High Productivity Vehicle (HPV) framework to replace fragmented access rules, a co-designed National Truckwash and Biosecurity Infrastructure Plan, a Rural Driver Training Academy to address workforce gaps and formally recognise rural
freight driving as a skilled occupation and investment in disaster-resilient freight corridors to future-proof food and supply chains.
Johnson says rural freight had long been overlooked in big-picture reform, despite its role in supporting Australia’s $90 billion agricultural economy and more than 300,000 supply chain jobs.
“We’re not looking for special treatment. We’re offering a clear set of practical solutions that deliver for farmers, exporters and consumers alike,” he says.
“If this roundtable is serious about resilience and productivity, rural freight has to be in the room.”
The economic reform roundtable will be held from August 19-21 in the Cabinet Room and will shape the next phase of the government’s economic agenda.
