Thank you to everyone who participated in, or supported, the Convoy to Canberra last Sunday. The event passed without incident, which is a credit to the participants, TWU officials, the NSW Police and RTA. The day was a major show of strength for the TWU, with 532 vehicles making the journey to Canberra from places including Queensland, the Newcastle and Hunter Region, the Central Coast, the South Coast, Sydney and country NSW. By turning out in large numbers from across the state, and further afield, our members and supporters have provided demonstration of our strength for all to see and I can confirm the federal government took notice.
From Transport Workers Union
TWU Convoy to Canberra
Posted in:
TWU NEWS
By Wayne Forno
22 Jun, 2010
22 Jun, 2010
Upon arriving in Canberra we held a rally on Federation Mall, where we called for the urgent implementation of Safe Rates regulated by a independent tribunal. I would like to pass on my thanks to Uniting Church Minister Neil Roberts, who blessed the event and talked about the consequences of greed on our roads. I would also like to make special mention of Keith Stone, Steve Mitchell, Jelena Cindric, Euan Scott Bell and Tony Upton, who spoke at our rally.
Their personal stories demonstrated to everyone who was present the urgent need for a system of Safe Rates. Finally, I would also like to thank our National Secretary, Tony Sheldon, and our National President, Wayne Mader, for their participation and words supporting Safe Rates.
As a result of the strong showing by our members, the Deputy-Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, committed the government to the following process to determine how to establish a Safe Rates régime:
• The government’s Safe Rates Advisory Group — which the TWU is a part of — will release its draft report, Safe Rates: Safe Roads, in early July;
• There will be a six-week consultation period after that to ensure that the public, state and territory governments, and industry have a say on the report.
• There will be a six-week consultation period after that to ensure that the public, state and territory governments, and industry have a say on the report.
Ms Gillard said on the day of the Convoy:
There is clearly a compelling case evolving for an independent assessment of what constitutes a ‘safe rate’.
There is clearly a compelling case evolving for an independent assessment of what constitutes a ‘safe rate’.
We now have the timeline for that process.
The TWU will continue working with the advisory group in the consultation period to ensure that the interests of all members are actively represented in this process.
The campaign is not over, but we’re moving in the right direction.
This is a fight we’re winning.
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