THE state government has established a Ministerial Heavy Vehicle Advisory Panel to provide truck drivers with advice on issues in the road transport industry. Transport Minister Simon O’Brien said the panel was set up in response to ongoing concerns about the direction and level of industry regulation. “I expect the panel to focus on efficiency and safety for heavy road transport and protecting our state’s competitiveness in a tough global trading environment,” he said. “It will also advise on concerns raised by sections of the transport industry on the imposition of national requirements which could impact on the efficiencies of local transport.” The panel, chaired by leading transport industry advocate Howard Croxon, comprises: parliamentary secretary to the transport minister, Bill Marmion; Transport Forum chief executive Ian King; Main Roads WA executive director Des Snook; and transport industry consultant Ian Tarling. “Fundamentally, we want to make sure we get a safe and efficient road transport industry and get some good well-thought out policies moving forward,” Mr Croxon told WA Business News. Among other roles, the panel will make recommendations for changes to the current mandatory WA Heavy Vehicle Accreditation system, conduct an ongoing review of the permit system for Restricted Access Vehicles and Concessional Loading Permits, and review the current heavy vehicle driver licence training and testing system. “This group will be critical to ensuring all road transport businesses can operate in a safe and efficient environment and that WA’s transport needs are on a level playing field in relation to permits and accreditation,” Mr O’Brien said. Adam Orlando