Confidence restored for owner-drivers: ASBFEO

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Kate Carnell said Federal Parliament’s vote to abolish the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT) is a significant shot in the arm for small business owner-truck drivers, who were facing a bleak future as a result of the now defunct body.

“Common sense has prevailed with the passage of the Road Safety Remuneration Repeal Bill,” Ms Carnell said.

“Mum and dad owner-drivers around the country are this morning breathing a collective sigh of relief; they can now confidently get back on the road and on with the job of keeping their small businesses running, within a fair and competitive market.

“The RSRT Payment Order had the potential to send many small businesses to the wall, and I congratulate the Turnbull Government, along with the crossbench Senators who supported the repeal bill, for their swift action on this issue,” Ms Carnell said.

Ms Carnell said the decision to re-direct the savings from abolishing the RSRT to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is a welcome move. 

“The NHVR is best placed to develop practical measures to help ensure the truck drivers who go out to work on our roads every day, get home safely to their families,” Ms Carnell said.

Ms Carnell said even though the vote to dismantle the RSRT was successful, it will take time for the industry to get back to normal, and urged banks to bear these circumstances in mind.

“I encourage banks and other financial institutions to show some leniency towards owner-driver small business people; many have mortgaged the family home to cover the costs of running their enterprise and may be struggling financially due to the recent upheaval,” Ms Carnell said.

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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