Truckies call for creation of Freight Minister to represent ‘doomed’ industry as issues ‘fall on deaf ears’

Australia needs a dedicated freight minister to better understand and fix the issues of the “doomed” $50 billion transport industry, according to Mitchell’s Transport chief executive John Mitchell. Mr Mitchell, who has more than 30 years experience in the transport industry, said he had spent many hours discussing issues with the general public, industry, as well as business owners, giving him a “unique perspective” on the industry. He said increasing costs and regulations on the nation’s freight industry was the wrong direction to take after the Federal Government increased the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge in last week’s budget from 27.2 cents per litre of diesel from July 1 to 32.4c in 2025–26. The increase is a rise of six per cent each year for the next three years. Mr Mitchell said instead of increasing charges, the government should be thinking about reducing the road user charges instead, although it was not the underlying issue that needed addressing in the industry. “Structurally, the transport industry is doomed,” Mr Mitchell said. “It has been doomed for some time — what we need is a change in thinking.” He said replacing State and Federal transport ministers with a dedicated freight minister was a good place to start to better represent the industry. “The freight industry represents about five per cent of gross domestic product; that’s about $50 billion per annum,” he said. “It’s the glue that holds our $1 trillion economy together. “We don’t have a government that understands the industry or the problems and with someone more focused on freight, they would understand the issues.” He said it was not the fault of current transport ministers that they also had to deal with bike lanes, school buses, rail, planning and other issues, meaning less time was given to freight. “With all the areas of focus, how much time do they spend on what makes up 5 per cent of GDP?” Mr Mitchell said. “Police have a dedicated Police Minister, who is part of the industry. “We have a transport minister that is outside the industry, which needs to change. “Our country is big enough now to think about a freight minister.” For years the industry has seen increases in costs and charges, as well as more regulations, and has been battling with the State and Commonwealth governments for better roads and resources. Mr Mitchell said much of the needs of the industry has fallen on deaf ears.