The heavy vehicle industry is voicing strong concerns over proposed amendments to the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) that introduce a new “fit to drive” duty — a change many believe could create serious uncertainty and added pressure for drivers already operating under strict compliance obligations. Under the draft amendments, drivers would be required to […]
Western Australia has drawn a hard line — and it’s about time. Access a closed road or mess with a “Road Closed” sign, and you could cop a fine of up to $10,000. That’s not a typo. Ten. Thousand. Dollars. The announcement came from Main Roads Western Australia, following a string of incidents where drivers […]
Western Australia just plugged into the national standard for vehicle labelling — and if you drive an electric, hybrid, or hydrogen vehicle, you’ll want to pay attention. Starting January 1, 2026, all EV, hybrid, and hydrogen vehicles manufactured or modified on or after January 1, 2019 will need to display new front and rear labels […]
The Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) has made a powerhouse move — announcing Rachel Michaud as its new Chief Engineer. And if you’ve been watching the evolution of Australia’s heavy vehicle sector, you know this is a big deal. Rachel isn’t new to the game. She’s got over a decade of experience with Knorr-Bremse, where […]
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Australia doesn’t have enough truck drivers.And the problem isn’t on the horizon — it’s already here. Heavy vehicles are sitting idle because there’s no one to drive them. Freight demand is rising. Passenger transport is stretched thin. Regional communities are feeling the pinch. And unless something changes fast, this shortage will […]
The freight industry doesn’t often stop to pat itself on the back. Why? Because most of the time we’re too busy keeping Australia moving. But over the weekend, hundreds of heavyweights and rising stars gathered at Crown Palladium Melbourne for the 35th Australian Freight Industry Awards (AFIA) — and it was a reminder of just […]
Here’s the ugly truth about a growing cancer in our industry: sham contracting is ripping off drivers and giving dodgy operators a massive cost advantage. It’s not new. But it’s getting worse. And now, the boss of the South Australian Road Transport Association, Steve Shearer, is calling out the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to actually […]
When most brands “expand their range,” it’s a paint job and a press release.Hino just went the other way — 11 completely new heavy-duty 700 Series models hitting Australian roads this October. And the timing? Couldn’t be better. Here’s why this matters. 1. Two-Pedal Domination The transport industry’s been moving toward automated transmissions for years, […]
When you’re running freight, there’s one thing you can’t afford: dangerous roads.The Bruce Highway — a lifeline for Queensland’s freight network — has been a problem child for years. High crash rates. Narrow lanes. Blind overtaking spots. And for truckies, it’s been a daily game of “don’t become a statistic.” Now, finally, there’s serious money […]
In late July, something massive happened on Australian roads. And no — it wasn’t a new road rule or a record-breaking speed fine. It was 84 road trains. Full of hay. Hammering across the Eyre Highway. Why? Because when our farmers get smashed by drought, we don’t sit around waiting for someone else to fix […]