Labor's Fairer Fuel Bill has today passed Federal Parliament, which will help truckies and transport operators deal with fuel price rises caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
The Fairer Fuel Bill establishes a new urgent pathway which will allow the Fair Work Commission to make orders to deal with rising fuel prices, without the current 6 month waiting period.
These orders could include fair terms that ensure truckies and road transport operators are better protected from fuel price rises.
For example, orders could include terms requiring parties to regularly review the rates they pay for road transport work in accordance with fluctuating fuel prices.
There's a high threshold to access the urgent pathway. There must be a significant negative national impact on the road transport sector and it must be in the public interest to act quickly. And the Fair Work Commission must ensure that industry is consulted.
Truckies and transport operators need to be protected from fuel price rises and it's important that costs are shared fairly through the contract chain.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Amanda Rishworth:
"Truckies and transport operators need urgent help dealing with fuel price rises caused by the war in the Middle East, and that's what Labor has done today with the passing of the Fairer Fuel Bill.
"Our Bill creates an urgent new pathway, with a high threshold, which will allow truckies and transport operators to argue for a fairer share in the Fair Work Commission.
"With global uncertainty leading to significant impacts on our transport industry, our Government has today amended legislation to support the truckies and transport operators who keep Australia's economy moving."
