A unified call for infrastructure upgrades, rest area investment, and realistic emissions strategies marked the opening panel session at the 2025 Trucking Australia conference in Adelaide. Key transport leaders from the ATA’s member associations, including NATROAD, Road Freight NSW, the HVIA and others, came together to present a shared vision for the future—and to underline how closely aligned they are ahead of the Federal Election.
From high-level infrastructure priorities to deeply practical concerns like showers for drivers, the panel showed just how broad and interconnected the issues are for operators, manufacturers and drivers alike.
Aligning Voices: ATA and HVIA Share Key Election Priorities
The panel opened with Matthew Munro outlining the ATA’s election platform, which includes a voucher scheme to fund 50% of the price gap between electric and conventional trucks, domestic renewable diesel production incentives, and a repeal of mandatory climate reporting in favour of ABS surveys.
Todd Hacking, CEO of the Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA), welcomed the ATA’s platform and applauded the alignment between the organisations.
“What’s great is how aligned HVIA is with the ATA document. The more we can speak together and go to government with a single national voice, the stronger we are, and the more we can achieve,” Hacking said.
The HVIA also reinforced the call for minimum national road service standards, greater transparency in bridge access, and release of the federal net-zero transport plan, which Hacking said is complete but awaiting sign-off.
NATROAD Pushes for $3.5 Billion Clean Transport Fund
NATROAD Chair Paul Fellows used his time to call for direct financial support to secure the industry’s transition.
“We’ve recommended the government establish a $3.5 billion Clean Transport Fund. That includes $2 billion for low-emission freight financing, $1 billion for ZEV incentives, and continuation of the $500 million Driving the Nation Fund,” said Fellows.
He emphasised the need for greater rest area access, pointing to the experience of younger drivers who can’t find anywhere to shower or access basic hygiene. “Women make up 5 to 6% of our workforce. I find it incredulous that these women—and the gentlemen too—can’t pull up at a rest area and use a toilet.”
Fellows also highlighted NATROAD’s proposal for a star rating system for rest areas, similar to road safety ratings, to ensure targeted investment in facilities.
New $80 Million Sydney Rest Area: A Milestone Victory
Simon O’Hara from Road Freight NSW proudly spoke about the new $80 million rest area being built at Eastern Creek, a joint project between the NSW and federal governments.
“Greater Sydney has zilch in the way of rest areas,” he said. “This announcement in February is a real, concrete step in the right direction. It came from lobbying—11 asks at the last NSW election and we got 10 ticks.”
He credited the success to inclusive collaboration with Transport for NSW, the TWU and industry representatives, and promised secure facilities including food, showers and toilets. “It’s a great start—but we need one in every major city,” said O’Hara, echoing an audience comment.
Audience member Angus from Border Town added:
“We can’t just rely on a BP roadhouse… I’ve got a young female driver just started. The whole toilet and shower fiasco does my head in. That’s half the population we’re missing out on.”
Efficiency Over Perfection: A Pragmatic Emissions Approach
The conversation around emissions quickly turned practical. Multiple speakers acknowledged that full electrification of the fleet is not immediately realistic and that low-emission outcomes should also focus on vehicle productivity.
Wendy Fennell from the audience summed it up:
“It’s not all about zero emissions. There’s no point having a fleet of zero-emission trucks if you need more trucks to do the same work. AV triples can reduce emissions by 60% today.”
Todd Hacking agreed, saying, “It’s not just about buying new zero-emission trucks. Upgrading from Euro 2 to Euro 5 is still a major improvement. Driver training and aerodynamic kits help too.”
Simone Hill from the Australian Furniture Removers Association backed the ATA’s proposed EV voucher scheme:
“That 50% voucher to cover the gap between an ICE and EV truck is brilliant. That’s the barrier—cost. And it’s simple to explain.”
Hill also linked emissions to infrastructure, pointing to high-rise buildings that can’t accommodate full-size pantechs.
“It ends up costing consumers hundreds more per move because you need two small trucks instead of one big one. Poor planning and infrastructure cost us all,” she said.
Northern Australia: Barriers to Building and the Defense Opportunity
Franco Bilato from the NT Road Transport Association offered a frank update on the Northern Territory, where he praised the surge in bitumen roads built in the last decade. However, he highlighted frustrating delays caused by heritage and environmental approvals.
“We’ve got good contractors, gear ready, and enthusiasm—but the projects get stopped all the time,” Bilato said. “It’s not emissions that are stopping us, it’s the barriers to getting anything built.”
Cam Dumesny of the Western Roads Federation added a strategic overlay, linking freight infrastructure investment to national defence.
“We’re hardening our northern bases. To do that, we must harden our supply routes. That’s a win-win for freight and national security.”
He said 80% of the delay time in building regional rest areas is caused by cultural and environmental approvals—and warned this could worsen if “nature positive” reforms are implemented.
The Cost Question: Who Pays for the Transition?
One audience member highlighted the “elephant in the room”—who pays for decarbonisation?
“It’s great to talk about low emissions, but who’s going to pay? Businesses can’t afford to absorb it all. At some point, it ends up as inflation and interest rates.”
Bilato responded by pointing to Australia’s budget priorities:
“We spend about 9-10% of GDP on infrastructure. But we spend 38% on welfare. If ministers want to find the money to build and maintain rest areas, that’s where to start.”
A United Front: ATA’s Strength in Numbers
Matthew Munro closed the session by reflecting on the significance of seeing 12 association representatives across the two opening panels:
“It really shows you that we’re working on a lot of very common issues across the industry. When we come together, we are a powerful force—and we are making a difference.”
Summary
The panel made clear that Australia’s road transport sector is not sitting idle. It is proposing workable, cost-conscious solutions to decarbonise, improve driver conditions, and deliver real productivity gains. With strong alignment between groups like the ATA, NATROAD, HVIA and others, the path forward is not just paved with advocacy—it’s increasingly being built through action.
