Ford Trucks For Sale

Australia’s transport ministers have agreed to a national registration and licensing system for the country’s truck drivers.

“This is a critical reform,” said federal transport minister Anthony Albanese.

“There are 375,000 heavy vehicles in the nation and they don’t respect state boundaries, and that’s why it is important we progress this reform.”

The announcement came after Friday’s Australian Transport Council (ATC) meeting in Melbourne, which was attended by federal, state and territory transport ministers.

Mr Albanese said the plan was the first step towards a fully integrated national transport system.

“We need to make sure we have a national system of licences, because trucks are all about mobility and they don’t recognise the state borders,” Mr Albanese said.

The new licensing and registration system will come into effect by July 1, 2009.

Mr Albanese said public transport was also on the agenda at Friday’s meeting, and the federal government was prepared to engage in urban policy, including public transport.

“You can’t have a strategy for moving freight, without a strategy for moving people,” he said.

“We need to develop an integrated transport system in which the national government works with the state, including urban public transport and urban congestion.”

The minister said the government’s newly announced major cities unit would address issues such as road and rail in Australian cities.

He also criticised the previous Howard Government, saying it had “ignored urban public transport”.

“It is important the commonwealth play a role in urban infrastructure,” Mr Albanese said.

The ATC plan - announced as a “new beginning” for transport - will also include a national approach to maritime legislation, and the establishment of a national road safety advisory council in a bid to cut the road toll.