Beyond the bowser the heavy vehicle win in a move specifically targeting the supply chain, the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge has been reduced to zero for three months. Combined with new laws to double penalties for price gouging, the government is attempting to wrestle back control from the current volatile global market.
While the price drop is a win, NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin reminds us that a plan is only as good as its execution. With reports of at least 178 NSW service stations recently running out of diesel, the frustration out in our regions is understandingably high. As Martin puts it: “Farmers can’t run tractors on a framework... this is a crisis that requires urgent action.”
We see the impact of these "bottlenecks" every day. Our clients are price takers, not price setters. As Livestock SA Chair Gillian Fennell rightly points out, farmers buy retail, sell wholesale, and pay the freight both ways. When freight surcharges hit 40%, it isn't just about profit, it’s about animal welfare, productivity, and the future of the food supply chain.
Whilst we all welcome the 26.3-cent drop, and we’re glad to see the ACCC ramping up monitoring to ensure that saving actually reaches our local bowsers in Tamworth and Gunnedah. But as we head into the Easter break, the conversation needs to move from "commentary" to "delivery."
Whether you’re checking fences, moving stock, or heading off to see family, this relief is a well-timed win for the regions, so use this time to focus on what matters most this weekend.
From the team at JBR, have a safe trip if you’re hitting the road. We’ll see you back in the office on Tuesday!
