Posted by Rita Mu
Truck drivers have gathered in front of Parliament House in Canberra to protest against the Federal Government's proposed carbon tax.
About 200 trucks, vans and cars reportedly piled into Canberra this morning as part of the “Convoy of No Confidence.”
A day-long rally outside Parliament House is expected to follow the convoy.
A convoy organiser, truck driver and former Queensland Liberal National Party (LNP) state candidate, Mick Pattel, said the convoy would send an important message to the government about its choices.
"Every decision that they make seems to be an absolute blunder," Pattel told ABC Radio on Sunday.
"I think the government has been compromised by the fact that it's not governing in its own right."
The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) said the convoy would not benefit the trucking industry.
"The danger of protests like these, which are well-meaning, is it reinforces the stereotype of the trucking industry as cowboys who are not worth dealing with," ATA’s Bill McKinley told ABC News Online.
"On behalf of our members, the ATA gets excellent results including a two-year exemption from the carbon tax.
"We don't believe this convoy will be as effective as the work that we do everyday."
Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is expected to address the rally today, according to ABC News Online.
Image: heraldsun.com.au