Truck drivers called on to stop strike plans

5/6/96

Transport Minister Eric Charlton has called on truck drivers in Western Australia not to strike tomorrow.

Mr Charlton said the call for a strike in WA was misguided as the WA Government was the only State government to give intrastate operators a 25 per cent concession on registration fees.

"The new national heavy vehicle registration system, which will operate in WA from July 1, will actually mean that more than eight out of 10 of the State's heavy transport fleet will be paying the same or lower fees," he said.

"The 25 per cent concession will be given to trucks used to tow semi-trailers and trailers operating within WA to lessen the impact of the national fees.

"This intrastate concession will reduce the increase in charges at the top end of the industry, which most affects country areas and remote communities."

Mr Charlton said the increase in distillate prices was nothing to do with the State Government.

Wholesale prices were set by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. The major factors causing the increase in the price of distillate had been global increases in the price of fuel and, to a lesser extent, Commonwealth fuel excise increases.

He said he would be travelling to Canberra tomorrow to attend a national Transport Ministers conference on Friday at which various transport issues would be discussed.

The Department of Transport is running a hotline for people needing information on how the new system will affect them. The hotline number is 1300 363 970.

Media contact: Sally Squires 321 7333