The Albanese Labor Government’s first Budget delivered an additional $80 million for new and upgraded heavy vehicle rest areas across the country, bringing dedicated heavy vehicle rest area funding up to $140 million over 10 years.
Heavy vehicle drivers in Australia deserve access to the facilities they need when they need them, just like every other worker.
A steering committee will be established to guide the process and give truckies a voice in shaping the projects which are funded through this initiative.
Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Carol Brown, is thrilled to announce Senator Glenn Sterle as the Chair of the committee.
The committee will share strategic advice and set priorities for heavy vehicle rest area projects, as truck drivers themselves know more than most about the missing gaps in our rest area network.
Senator Sterle bought his first truck at 20, after spending time as a furniture removalist offsider during the school holidays. Senator Sterle then spent 12 years driving road trains between Perth and Darwin.
Senator Sterle is well known around Parliament for delivering the very chairs he now sits in while representing the people of Western Australia in the Senate.
The selection of Senator Sterle as the Chair is a fantastic first step in delivering this $140 million package.
Senator Sterle will be joined on the committee by five long-haul truck drivers and four representatives from industry organisations.
The drivers will be selected through an expression of interest process.
The Government are looking for drivers with long-haul experience and who know what drivers need. Anyone with an interest in rest areas and a desire to improve conditions for themselves and fellow drivers is encouraged to complete an expression of interest.
Funding for the package will be delivered through the existing Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program.
Interested long-haul drivers can express their interest via:
