Radio National Breakfast National Road Transport Association calls for government to suspend road user charge
Mar 22, 2026
Warren Clark, CEO of the National Road Transport Association and advocate for Australia’s trucking industry, warns of crisis as surging fuel costs strain operators. He discusses contract gaps that leave small carriers exposed. He urges suspension of the road user charge and emergency measures to prevent supply chain disruption and regional diesel shortages.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Small Carriers Crushed By Rising Diesel Costs
- Australia's freight industry is at acute financial stress due to surging diesel costs that many small operators cannot pass on.
- Warren Clark says many small carriers lack bargaining power or formal contracts with fuel levies and are losing money or considering parking trucks.
Contract Gap Leaves Small Operators Exposed
- Contract sophistication varies: large operators often have fuel levies that adjust with price, while many small operators lack such protections.
- Clark highlights the disparity in bargaining power between big, sophisticated firms and small independents.
Target Relief To Rural Diesel Hotspots
- Government should deploy targeted relief to regional and rural areas where diesel availability and price spikes are worst.
- Clark notes a task force is addressing supply but immediate cash support is needed to stop operators parking trucks.