The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has welcomed a new bill introduced by the Victorian Government requiring 30-day payment terms for truck owner-drivers.

The Owner Drivers and Forestry Contractors Amendment Bill 2019 would require 30-day payment terms for owner-drivers in the transport industry and harvesting and haulage contractors in the forestry industry.

“The introduction of this bill is welcome news for small trucking business and would require invoices from owner drivers to be paid within 30 days of receipt,” ATA CEO Ben Maguire said.

“Small businesses make up 98 percent of the trucking industry. They are not banks. They cannot afford to extend finance to large customers.

“Mandating 30-day payment terms is a practical measure that would support Australia‘s owner drivers and should be extended nationally,” he said.  

NZ Trucking Association chief executive officer Dave Boyce said the situation was no different in New Zealand, and the Road Transport Forum had worked with the government to stop businesses imposing 90-day payment terms.

“I can‘t imagine any of us in the transport industry would be upset with 30-day payment terms as they can‘t carry that debt. A lot of operators would welcome that change here.”

Maguire said in this federal election campaign, the ATA is pressing for 30-day payment terms to be rolled out across Australia.

“This is a national issue that requires national leadership from the next government,” he said.