Working safely and getting drivers home in one piece is a key focus of NSW Nationals Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation and Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson.
Mr Anderson gave the opening address to the Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association NSW Annual Conference at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre and said the importance of transport carriers was unfortunately overlooked.
“About the only thing here in Tamworth that’s not delivered by a truck are our babies,” Mr Anderson said.
“Our local transport companies do such a fantastic job, they bring most of our food and all of our goods into town for us to put in our homes and enhance our lives.
“Then they turn around and take the processed chicken, lamb and beef and other products like flour, ute bodies, livestock feed, milk and countless other goods that are made here in Tamworth across the state, the nation and even the world.
“My emphasis today as the Minister for SafeWork is to keep the focus on preventing our men and women truckies from taking any serious risks when they’re doing their jobs.
“It’s been a really tough time with the drought and then the bushfires. We want to look after the mental and physical health of our truckies because they play such an important role.
“I have a great team of SafeWork staff here at the conference and they are on hand to provide information from traffic management through to injuries and working at heights.
“There is even a chance for small business operators to qualify for a $500 safety rebate if they organise a visit by a SafeWork inspector.
“The LBRCA have around 220 members and there are many of them based around this region. So it’s fantastic to see them here at this important conference, giving us great feedback on what we can do to make their jobs easier and safer.”
