With reference to the sub-contracting of the carriage of road freight by transport operators:

(1)   In circumstances where monies are collected from sub-contractors for insurance purposes: (a) are operators required to lodge these monies with an insurance agency; (b) are operators required to notify their sub-contractors in writing of the extent to which they are covered by insurance that is held by the contracting company; and (c) is there an available estimate of the yearly value of insurance levies collected by contracting companies where the above conditions are not met.

(2)   In circumstances where monies are collected from customers, as a levy to cover the increased cost of fuel: (a) are operators required to pass these levies to sub-contractors where the fuel is purchased by the sub-contractor; and (b) is there an available estimate of the yearly value of fuel levies that are not passed on to sub-contractors who purchase their own fuel.

(3)   Will the Government ask the National Road Transport Commission to investigate whether sub-contractors should be given further protection with respect to both of the above issues.

(1)   This matter is one for the Australian Securities and Investment Commission and the question should be directed to the Honourable Senator representing the Treasurer.

(2)   Issues associated with the charging regime of individual companies do not fall within the responsibilities of the Minister for Transport and Regional Services.

(3)   The National Transport Commission is a multi-jurisdictional organisation responsible for developing regulatory reform proposals for road, rail and intermodal transport. Individual charging regimes by transport companies do not fall within the NTC’s area of responsibility.