Methusala

Truckies may exploit new laws to work longer hours Date November 10, 2013, SMH Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/truckies-may-exploit-new-laws-to-work-longer-hours-20131109-2x8uv.html#ixzz476AcnQIU Truck drivers on long-haul shifts will be able to manipulate looming changes to national heavy vehicle laws so they can work longer shifts - in some cases, more than 16 hours in a single day - in what police warn is a troubling backwards step for road safety. In WA it is possible to work for 17 hours on two consecutive days but no more than 11 hours the next day

Amongst all that has been written and reported on this strange manoeuvre by the government I have seen nothing constructive on what to do about poor pay and terrible conditions in the heavy transport industry. It is a fact that transport is the most dangerous occupation and that many of the lives wrecked through catastrophic accidents are those of the uninvolved public. I believe that unions are only one side in industrial relations and that many employers are involved in poor practices. Let's have a real discussion aimed at solving problems, not just a one sided blame game. I have seen a representative of drivers expressing support for better pay and conditions for contract drivers and owner drivers. I am not involved in any way except as a fellow road user and interested citizen. I have been self-employed for the bulk of my working life. Don

The week, following the Turnbull governments voting against a long overdue increase in pay for the nation's independent truck drivers, Essential polling research shows a 4% drop in the Liberals' vote. We all know that trucks carry a huge proportion of the countries trade and that truckies work incredibly hard in the most dangerous occupation of all. Despite the mass media showing this as a 'coup for small business', I think that Australians are not fooled. They saw this move as consistent with the Liberals doing all that they can to support the big end of town against workers livelihoods. I have just returned from a trip to Melbourne and know how stressful long distance driving can be. Most travelers can empathise with a driver who is forced to work long, lonely hours away from home. You can be sure that the 200 trucks that descended on Canberra last week were not paid for by truckies struggling to make a living working around 80 hours per week to make the payments on their rig. Over the past 10 years wages for the lowest 10% of workers have increased by $7,000pa while the wages of the upper 10% have increased by $47,000. This IS class war and we all know who is winning. BTW let's call out Nick Xenaphon for the Liberal stalking horse that he undoubtedly is. Regards Don

This is a strange performance from a Nobel peace prize winner. Who exactly are the morally bankrupt, cretinous madmen now, Dr Strangelove?

Just sayin' , hazards are everywhere. Keep a keen eye out. Don

A friend of a friend was cleaning gutters one day. Slipped and broke his hip. Died presently from septicemia. Must be a better way>

Unfortunately there is no "idiot proof" test for weeding out individuals who normally make the correct decision but fail under stress. Blaming "idiots" is about as helpful to a rational discussion as being arrogant and aloof about any other thing in life. My CFI used to say,"rules are made for the guidance of wise men and the observance by fools". Pretty slick, heh? But my favorite aviation novel is Ernest Gann's masterpiece, *Fate is the Hunter*. His line is that many of the fliers whom he admired were killed through no fault of their own, just dumb luck mixed with happenstance. It is this happenstance which we rely on procedures and PPE to protect ourselves from. But go ahead and don't wear the high visibility clothing and other mandatory gear. In the end it assists Darwinism as it is wrote. Sir William Hudson, Commissioner of the Snowy Scheme mandated safety belts in all Authority vehicles in the mid 50's. Say what you like, this was well before the stupid US system of ambulance chasing lawyers hit this land.

Not contradictory at all. I wear a seat belt. Some choose not to. I'm convinced that seat belts are potential life savers as are legislators who will penalise those who choose not to. The person who is conditioned to wear one, having paid penalties previously, will still be restrained inside his vehicle and statistically will suffer less in a crash. I've seen standards in building construction fall as the real cost of purchasing one has increased dramatically over my 40 years involved in the industry. I think that some things are less costly now but this is largely through tech innovation rather than pointing to the cheap labour scouts in the corporate world. Finance industry is a creeping cancer which prevents the worthwhile innovations being implemented (vis: revelations that the Hawke govt were considering pricing carbon in 1991). Don (Don't mention "More power to the people")

"I have to ask.....what made you land...the regs, or your own common sense?" I don't want to cause my friends and relatives to write a post ending in RIP.

It is a continuing symptom of the headlong rush to extinction of our way of life when greedy corporations push legislators to allow imported labour into this country. I lived in the Snowy as a kid and recall that our school classrooms were used at night to teach migrants English. That allowed Australia to get people into this country who would stay and enrich us. The 457 and "free trade deals" done these days can only import low standards of culture and rob us and our children of the benefits of a high standard of living. Don

Very unfunny safety story... A few years back we were up at Monto picking up an aircraft. Flew it part of the way back till the ceiling started forcing me down to terrain. I then landed and put it on a trailer and returned home safely. Another aircraft at the same time continued into worsening conditions till the pilot and 5 others died. Safety is all B-- s--t until the grim reaper takes his cut. As I say, you can have it either way but a strong safety culture that is enforced has definite advantages over a macho "let 'er rip" attitude. My 2 bobs worth, Don

And the cow jumped over the Moon! Pull the other one. Happy new year, Don

My objection to statements made in this thread are twofold. Firstly the statement that PPE is a "choice". It is, in fact, mandatory on all well managed sites. Secondly, the statement that it is "least effective in mitigating risk" is a red herring. PPE is not meant to mitigate risk but to save the person from injury if all other controls fail... and they do enough times to be a significant element in workplace accidents.

"Anyone trained in WHS knows PPE is the last choice and least effective way to mitigate a risky activity." This statement is simply untrue. The truth is that PPE is used as the last line of defence in case the other controls in place are insufficient to prevent injury. To any rational person PPE is essential. Imagine operating machinery producing greater than 85 dB of sound energy not wearing ear protection or a person not wearing a safety helmet when work is being conducted overhead. I would hate to see some of you blokes working in a high hazard environment. Don

Opinions'a'plenty but can someone actually do some research on the comparison of wages paid in manufacturing vs those paid in say, mining or service industries. How do wages compare for computer services and finance occupations? Many prepared to blame car workers but is it simply pointing 'over there...see, that bloke has done this country in, not me!'

War has always been a rip-off. A way for the 1% to enslave and indebt workers both at the time and after it is over. The most prosperous times in history, for the working and middle class was when MAD (mutually assured destruction) prevented large scale, industrial war between developed nations.

BTW Why is it that political threads are allowed on this site until it is decided that no more debate is to be allowed? Perhaps, when a thread is discontinued the announcement could be accompanied with some short justification. Just a suggestion. Don

Time for someone capable as LOTO. Perhaps Plibersek? Don

Since when did anyone in the real world contend that a "staff member" from a minister's office doesn't represent, work for, report to and ultimately be responsible (You know! Like the buck stops with the RESPONSIBLE minister) to that minister. What is the minister's role but to be responsible for everything that happens on his bailiwick???? FT, surely you know what the Australian model of government is supposed to mean. But no, I am now anticipating some convoluted gobbledygook ie RUBBISH! in return for this. Rant over SHeeeeshhh! Kind regards, Don

A short reply to TP's assertion that this was a purely Victorian matter. Just for the record(From the Guardian): "The government has suggested Victorian border force officials are to blame for the press release, which incorrectly suggested ABF would be “speaking with any individual we cross paths with” during a multi-agency crackdown on crime and antisocial behaviour. But the media adviser for immigration minister Peter Dutton replied “thanks for letting me know” the second time his office was sent the controversial press release on Thursday morning. Guardian Australia revealed at the weekend the release had actually been sent to the immigration minister Peter Dutton’s office twice – as an attachment to a briefing note about the operation. A spokesman for Dutton confirmed the first email had been received on Wednesday afternoon, but said the press release had not been read because it “looked like a routine operation”. The second email, sent from Victorian border force last Thursday morning to both Dutton’s office and the office of assistant immigration minister Michaelia Cash, appeared to be seeking an assurance from the minister’s office that someone had read the material. It read: “Hi, apologies. I should have sent this for noting originally,” and confirmed ABF was intending to publicly post the media release on Friday morning. A staff member for Dutton replied, “Thanks for letting me know.”

"Australian Border Force: Peter Dutton says his office received copy of press release, but no-one read it." Would you...could you believe a government like this? Baaaahhhhaaaahhhaaa.

Most of us have a fairly clear idea of the powers and responsibilities of the police. Not sure at all regarding those of the ABF. Please explain? Don

I seem to remember something in a (leaked) document on "talking points for the Lib/NP members", mentioned "one security story a week". Can't wait for next week's effort. Baaaahaaaa!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-31/gleeson-tienhaara-crunch-time-for-isds-in-tpp-agreement/6663398 This may further enlighten TP as to whether Andrew Robb is really working for us.

But Andrew Robb just might! Stay tuned.... Don