Foreign-Trained Truckies `Danger’
(Source: Daily News - Monday 17/9/2007)
Road safety group opposes govt plan
RICHMOND MP Justine Elliot has spoken out against a plan which could allow poorly trained foreign truck drivers on Australian roads.
Ms Elliot has met road safety groups, transport business operators and transport industry workers to discuss a federal government plan to allow so-called “457 visa holders” to work in the transport industry. “I have grave concerns for the safety of all road users if untrained and improperly licensed drivers are driving trucks on our roads,” Ms Elliot said.
“This is an irresponsible and potentially dangerous action by the Howard government and the National Party.”
She also praised the Coast to Coast 100 group, campaigning against aggressive heavy vehicle driving.
“As a former police officer, I have seen road fatalities firsthand, that is why I know how important it is as a community to look at ways to improve road safety,” Ms Elliot said.
“Coast to Coast is working with truck drivers and the transport industry to achieve a positive outcome for our community,” she said after a transport industry forum at Tweed Heads.
A TWU spokesperson noted 457 visa holders were exempt from the usual tests and training required of other international drivers, Ms Elliot said.
She also said a small business owner had advised that 457 visa holders were paid $15,000 less per year than other workers, which could impact on businesses employing local workers.
October 5th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Had no luck with publication of my letter to local paper so will provide documentation to my Federal ALP member. Will keep you posted as to outcome from this avenue. Will keep hammering away this end.
Dave
October 6th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Thanks David for your help on this one. We’re just about to embark on a national campaign involving communities and truckies to highlight the fact that Minister Kevin Andrews is giving consideration to allowing foreign drivers into Australia on Section 457 Visas. The Sydney Morning Herald headline earlier this week regarding increasing fatalities up our end of the Pacific “Highway killing fields move north” will almost become a self-fullfilling prophecy if he gives this proposal the green light except the “killing fields” will go national ..
Lyndal
October 11th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Lyndal, had interview with TV TODAY, 11 Oct.Central Qld.region.
Will be interesting as to the reply from the Liberal candidate in our region.
I’ll keep hammering away.
Dave
October 12th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Oops! I stirred things up. My particular news item went north as far as Cairns in Qld.
We’ve had Des Docherty and Stuart St Clair through our area.[reported in local paper]
Would’ve liked talking to them if had have known they were in the area.
Dave