QUEENSLAND TRUCK DRIVERS DRIVE TO CANBERRA FOR SAFE RATES FOR THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY

Queensland truck drivers have today handed a report on safety and rates of pay in the transport industry to State Member for Bundamba Jo Ann Miller as they head off to Canberra as part of a national campaign from the Transport Workers' Union.

The Transport Workers' Union recently held a Safe Rates Summit in Sydney, and they want to give politicians a chance to study the outcomes of that event, where a number of transport operators said there was a need for change in the industry.

Transport Workers' Union Queensland Secretary, Hughie Williams said a large number of truck drivers and transport workers are living and working in Queensland and it's appropriate that Brisbane drivers start the trip to the Capital.

"The TWU has been working for some time with Government's at all levels in order to ensure there is a federal determination with minimum rates of pay for truck drivers," Mr Williams said.

"With 281 people killed in our industry each year, it is important that drivers have full cost recovery, including waiting times and fuel costs, so they are not forced into doing "one more load" to make ends meet."

State MP for Bundamba Jo Ann Miller told drivers she supports the TWU's campaign for safe rates in the transport industry.

"It is not just for the safety of our truck drivers but every motorist and family on our roads."

"If truck drivers had a minimum rate of pay they wouldn't need to spend long hours on our roads."

TWU Owner Driver Frank Black told Ms Miller the Federal Government needs to put in place a system of Safe Rates for truck drivers as soon as possible.

"The longer we wait the higher the rate of heavy vehicle fatalities on our roads."

Queensland Owner Driver Frank Black will arrive in Lismore tomorrow to hand the Safe Rate document to the Mayor of Lismore Councillor Jenny Dowell.