Vic truck drivers forced to break either SA or Victorian laws to do their jobs
Victorian truck drivers are dealing with constant law changes as border rules update week to week – forcing them to break laws, the industry says.
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Changes to COVID restrictions means the industry is dealing with the equivalent of legislative changes every week, SA Freight Council executive officer Evan Knapp says
Despite this, he is confident issues surrounding Victorian truck drivers will be sorted out in the near future and there should be no significant disruption to SA’s freight flow.
This week, the Victorian Transport Association warned freight bound for South Australia from Victoria will start to reduce, due to the rules surrounding COVID-19 testing.
The association says inconsistencies in the states’ laws means drivers must either flout Victorian or SA law in order to work, risking huge fines.
“There’s been some issues with getting Victorian truck drivers tested, because asymptomatic people can’t get tested in Victoria,” Mr Knapp said.
“With Victoria dealing with a large number of potential infections, it’s not possible for everyone to get tested.
“But our requirement (in SA) is that any essential truck driver must have a test every seven days or within 24 hours of crossing the border. At the moment, it’s difficult for some Victorian truck drivers to have that happen.”
Mr Knapp said industry was working with government to put in place improved mobile testing facilities to help address the problem and ensure they were placed in the most convenient locations for truck drivers.
“Freight systems will adapt and people will find a place to have a test,” he said.
“Changes to cross border rules roughly every two weeks mean we’re dealing with the equivalent of a new piece of legislation every two weeks. There’s going to be teething problems.”