The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has called on the Federal Government to extend its planned energy efficiency information grants to help small firms cope with the carbon price.
The Government’s $40 million Energy Efficiency Information Grants Program will provide industry associations with funding for education and resources to keep small and medium-sized businesses informed about the impact of the carbon tax, and how to reduce energy costs.
Trucking businesses will face higher costs from 1 July 2012 when their suppliers hike up prices in response to the carbon price, the ATA states in the Friday Facts.
In a submission on the draft guidelines for the grants program, the ATA maintains its opposition to the Government’s plan to impose the carbon price on fuel used by trucking businesses from 1 July 2014.
While trucking operators will need to pass their increased costs on to their customers, the ATA says their ability to do this would be limited by their existing contract arrangements. According to the Association, many trucking businesses are locked into long-term contracts, with little room to manoeuvre.
The submission calls on the Government to give industry associations scope to provide advice to members on best practice contracts, adjusting fuel levies and the law relating to carbon price claims. It also recommends that the program cover energy efficiency standards and audit tools for accreditation programs run by industry associations.
Image: Trucking. Image credit: web-log by Cliff Kule (US)