The National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) has called for urgent, structural reform to unlock productivity across Australia’s road freight sector — warning the industry is being held back by outdated policy settings and mounting cost pressures.
Appearing before the Senate Select Committee on Productivity in Australia today, NatRoad CEO Warren Clark said despite carrying around 80 per cent of Australia’s domestic freight, the sector remains largely invisible in national productivity settings.
Mr Clark said practical solutions were well understood, including improving access for higher productivity vehicles, streamlining permits, and building a national freight data framework to guide investment and policy decisions.
“Productivity growth comes from allowing trucks to carry more freight, for fewer trips, with less fuel and lower emissions,” he said.
“This is a structural policy failure.”
NatRoad warned that without reform, the industry will struggle to meet future demand, with freight volumes expected to grow by 77 per cent by 2050 and driver shortages already at critical levels.
“We have 28,000 driver positions unfilled right now, and that number will grow as more and more people retire,” Mr Clark said.
“Support is needed to ensure there are strong workforce pipelines in place to attract and retain truckies, and keep Australia’s supply chains strong.”
NatRoad told the Committee that productivity in the sector has stalled, while costs continue to rise and global competitors surge ahead.
“That gap has a real cost for every Australian household and every exporter trying to reach global markets.
“Our members are being hit by rates, fees, taxes and charges. Each one individually defensible, but together they are driving businesses to the wall.”
NatRoad is calling on the Federal Government to ensure road freight is a named priority in the National Competition Policy agenda and broader productivity reforms.
“You cannot fix what you don’t measure. Road freight is not a peripheral industry with productivity challenges; it is the backbone of the Australian economy,” Mr Clark said.
“Every supermarket shelf, every construction site, every agricultural export depends on it. It’s time governments started treating it that way.”
Mr Clark said NatRoad has put forward a clear set of practical recommendations in its submission to the enquiry.
“NatRoad is not here to complain. We are here with actionable solutions that would unlock productivity gains across the entire economy,” he said.
“We want to be strong partners and are ready to work with the Federal Government to deliver them.”
Kate McMahon
Pure Public Relations
0403 991 424
[email protected]
Jamie First
Pure Public Relations
0408 002 002
[email protected]
