Prior to the 2013 election the LNP's policy on the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal was to review it urgently if elected.

It's had two reviews/reports since then - then being 3 years ago.

On 18 December 2015 the RSRT made the pay rates orders, to take effect 4 April 2016.   That's a reasonable amount of time for grownups to be given so as to get their act together.   Grownups in Government, like say a Minister of the Crown and a Prime Minister.

On Tuesday 12 April 2016, that is last night, Senator Cash of The Government started a petition calling on members of the public to sign up to show support for The Government and its hastily cobbled together plan to try to legislate to abolish the RSRT next week.

Just think about this.   Normally concerned citizens start up petitions to let the government know how they feel and if they are lucky legislation follows.

This is the government starting a petition asking citizens to show their support for the  government's proposed legislation.

The LNP Government has had 3 years to work out where it and the community stand on the RSRT.  It's no surprise that the Turnbull Government is now turning to Facebook to find out how people feel on this issue, Australians have heard stuff all from the Turnbull Government because until the last 10 days or so,  it's had no idea itself as to where it stood.   Even now, we've had 3 different positions in 10 days.

Here's the new legislative tool, the Facebook petition and email.

Tue, 12 Apr 2016 08:40:27 +0000

Help us abolish Shorten’s truck tribunal1

XXX

When someone starts a business and takes a risk, when they invest both their time and money to make it a success, the Government should back them.

The Government will abolish the tribunal Bill Shorten set up that will force tens of thousands of owner truck drivers out of business.

On Sunday, I met with owner truck drivers – small business men and women, family businesses – and told them we will stand with them.

We will always back those Australians whose enterprise is securing our prosperity and the economic growth on which our future depends.

We need to put pressure on Labor, the Greens and crossbenchers to abolish this tribunal and make sure that owner-operator truck drivers get a fair go.

But we need your help. XXX, can you help us get the word out about this important issue?

Please click here to share our petition with your friends and family on Facebook.

Thank you for your support.

Regards

Michaelia Cash
Minister for Employment

PS - To show your support for Australia’s owner-operator truck drivers, please click here and share our petition on Facebook.

8 December 2015 the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal made the now infamous orders to come info effect on 4 April 2016.

For 4 months the government appears to have done precisely not a lot.

1 April 2016 - the Federal Court stays the implementation of the rates 

4 April 2016 - Senator Cash made this anouncement about legislation to stop the pay rates taking effect

The Coalition Government has today announced that it will be introducing legislation into the House of Representatives in the week commencing 18 April 2016 to ensure that orders setting mandatory remuneration rates for truck drivers cannot commence before 1 January 2017.

7 April 2016 - Federal Court lifts temporary stay.  Industry applicants to Fed Court announce a proposed High Court challenge

10 April 2016 - Turnbull and Cash announced that if returned to government, the coalition would abolish the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal in 2017

12 April 2016 - The Federal Government starts a petition to support calling on citizens to support the Government in the introduction of legislation next week to abolish to whole of the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal.

The Petition is hosted on Facebook.   Seriously