Australian Trucking Association chair Mark Parry said the announcement would deliver immediate and meaningful relief to trucking businesses facing sustained cost pressures.
“Trucking businesses will save 26.3¢ per litre at the pump when they fill up,” Mr Parry said.“
“Their fuel tax credit will increase from 20.2¢ to 26.3¢ per litre, which operators will continue to claim as usual through their business activity statements at the end of each month or quarter.”
When combined with the removal of the road user charge, the total saving will amount to 32.4¢ per litre, a significant reduction in one of the industry’s largest operating costs.
“This decision will make a real difference, particularly for small and regional trucking businesses that have been doing it tough,” Mr Parry said.
The fuel tax changes come as the Senate debates legislation that would empower the Fair Work Commission to issue urgent fuel price orders.
These orders would allow transport operators to pass rapid fuel cost increases along the supply chain.
“The ATA strongly urges the Senate to pass the bill in its current form,” Mr Parry said.
Mr Parry said the fuel tax relief and the proposed fuel price orders were the result of sustained advocacy by the association and its members.
“These outcomes show the value of coordinated and effective industry advocacy, and I thank our members for their commitment to securing results for trucking businesses across Australia,” he said.
The measures form part of the ATA’s broader four‑point plan to support the sector going forward.
The association is also calling for the immediate activation of disaster recovery funding to assist trucking businesses affected by natural disasters, and for greater use of longer, high‑productivity vehicles to move freight more efficiently with less fuel.
ATA has asked the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to urgently convene industry and state government leaders to develop temporary access arrangements for these vehicles.
Other trucking representative bodies, such as Loadshift, called for the total removal of the diesel excise for operators.
