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Time for reflection

With the election result now done and dusted we will suffer three more years of ‘Hard Labor’ as a result the trucking industry is in for a battle to survive with the pending reforms that have been bandied around by the NTC and others.

The push to implement the Intelligent Access Program (IAP) will now take on a life of its own and with that all the linked reforms such as Distance Mass Location Charging, Speed, Driving Hours monitoring and even higher registrations will become a reality as bureaucracy and the ‘Greens’ target trucking with vengeance.

It won’t matter in which State you operate the long arm of the National Regulator will touch everyone in the trucking industry and most of it will not be for the greater good, there will be many that will dispute my prediction however time will bear out my concerns as we buckle under rules and regulations that will be driven from the ‘Big End of Town’, the small operators will not be in the loop when it comes to having a say on what works and what doesn’t.

Because of the nature of the new Government and its precarious hold on power the bureaucracy will be even more powerful than before, the trouble with that is their view that Australia can survive without trucks will not see a sympatric administration of our industry, mark my words the attacks will now come thick and fast.

My advice is for everyone to consolidate and move into a holding pattern, don’t upgrade or attempt expansion; the survivors at the end of this dark period will be able to build a good and sustainable business.

The NRFA is very disappointed with the lack of support for the Red Ribbon Campaign, however it has reinforced our believe that this industry is not ready to apply the political clout it has at its disposal, and as such the good people in road transport will pay the price for the inaction of the idiots that are in our ranks.

During the Shutdown of 2008 I tried to head off the higher registrations, new fatigue reforms, the eroding of the hard won benefits, no one believed me at the time, now the same people who didn’t support the shutdown are crying that we have to shutdown, sorry don’t ring me I did my best and you let the side down, the Red Ribbon Campaign was designed to see if another shutdown was possible I’m sorry to say that the lack of visual support confirms that the trucking industry will never stand as one.

Mick Pattel
NRFA President

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rory Donnellan on September 8, 2010 at 10:53am

"My advice is for everyone to consolidate and move into a holding pattern, don’t upgrade or attempt expansion; the survivors at the end of this dark period will be able to build a good and sustainable business."

That's very sound advice, Kevin. Once the storm blows over, and the first rays of sun begin to shine through the clouds, it'll be time to take stock of the damage, and re-build businesses. In the meantime, seek cyclone-proof shelter, or make plans to temporarily evacuate from the path of maximum devastation.

Permalink Reply by Peter Schuback on September 8, 2010 at 12:01pm

Mick with the increases in rego , Higher tolls , More fines and the complete lack of guts of the people in this industry we are all stuffed , Wait to the greens get power in the senate , All of you people that didnt back us in the last shut down will see what we were saying was fact , If you dont have the brains or cods to stand up and fight all will be lost and its YOUR fault . If you didnt have the brains to stop for a few weeks back then it will soon be too late , We are loseing all of the old opperators at a rapid rate and the young ones wont have a go , It is time to show the people of Australia just how important you are to the running and economy of this country , Fight for your industry now or you will all be soon working for one of the majors and every person in this country will be paying twice as much for your every day needs once the majors take full control of our industry .

Permalink Reply by Neville Harrison on September 8, 2010 at 7:54pm

gday mick and everyone yes its asad day alrite for the transport industry with the election results but the talk tonite is maybe another election so i say lets go all out to get the red neck rite out of the polls this time she has already broken her promises to her two independants today and yes anna didnt take long to get her revenue raisers out and about withe burpengary weighbridge working bothways this arvo , i still am flying my red ribbon mick but have felt like the lone ranger on the bruce goatrak flying the colors pretty poor effort boys and i know and feel the apathy too mick because as you know i was right behind you in the stoppages and cannot believe it was that long ago

Permalink Reply by Kevin Michael Pattel on September 9, 2010 at 8:33am

Hi Nev,
Great to know that you support the NRFA in its efforts to make things better, the election has not given us the change of Government we needed to benefit from the ground work we have done with them, however we will continue to lobby opposition to understand our plight.
I feel that this Government will fail simply on the basis that it is made up with 'back stabbers and traitors’ in my opinion not good bedfellows.
I’m a great believer in the adage that 'good things come to those who wait’ we just have to keep the faith.

Permalink Reply by noel porter on September 9, 2010 at 9:25pm

Goodaye Mick and everyone ,
We,ll battle on. You are so right.!No one give two hoots earlier. Now they are all sooking and going down.
Wooses, Dropping like flies with nothing to do. Just say the word Mick. I couldn,t care less if I blocked a couple of highways for a while.Had a bit of a blockade. Get together over a few bridges here and there.
Coppers would tow them away or bulldoze them .But If I set fire to the bloody trucks it would sure make a hell of a mess.Attract a bit of attention. Locked away for being a public nuisance probably.!
It would be easier than trying to survive at the moment .
Battle on mate .We,ll try and beat these mongrels.
Word has it that our main fairy in the camp. Bob is going to be transport minister .
Seeing he is so clued up on everything. We would be able to sit back and watch all infrastructure collapse around us .Rail ,road and air ,
Coastal Shipping .The new era in freight. Look out everyone .Order your goods this year and they will be immediately consigned for delivery next year. What a joke, Anyway Mick ,I,m on your side . Good Luck.
see ya.

Permalink Reply by Russ Martin on September 11, 2010 at 8:04pm

G!Day Fellas,

I agree re the Red Ribon Campaign. Have just had 3 rounds over 10 weeks running into Mackay with the yearly sorghum harvest. While I was pretty busy watching those crazy bloody miners didn't get under the tripple the only ribbon I saw was my own. Not even one at the Convoy for Kids.

We gotta be awfully thankful Bob Katter stood firm. Madam Lash couldnt lie strait in bed so things may fall of the rails in time and Bob may well become a key player in the future.

Our estemed member Ian McFarlane suggested to my brother that we may be better of with satalite tracking during the pre election meeting he had with him re rego's, AB Tripple lengths and parking in Toowoomba. He better not mention it again or he will get a satalite dish for a collar.

Great advice re consolidation also Mick, I've been saying this for the last 12mths.

Good to see ya still hangin in Noel.
Take care
Russ

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