Penske people must be a patient lot, especially in our part of the world. For the best part of a decade, they’ve waited and waited, and waited some more, for their Star to do what stars generally do best – shine brightly! Yet, for reasons seemingly m

Not long after I earned my MC on my 25th birthday, I was loading trailers hooked up to mainly Volvos in a shed in Carole Park, Queensland. A bloke in his late thirties turned up in a gorgeous green and chrome Kenworth to load up. My guess is it would

Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Carol Brown, has confirmed that the Albanese will deliver on its commitment to truckies through an $80 million commitment to new and refreshed rest areas. The funding is in addition to the $60 mill

Truck maintenance and repairs are an unavoidable part of the industry, but with low rates and no real means to support cost recovery, many owner-drivers can find themselves between a rock and a hard place. Recently with my own truck out of action for

Not since 2013 when American automotive mogul Roger Penske parted with $219 million to take control of Transpacific’s commercial vehicle group – in the process gaining distributorship rights for MAN and Western Star among other things – has there bee

Reaching a new decade of life in a state of good or even reasonable health is always a milestone worth celebrating, quietly or otherwise. As a close mate likes to say, “Life is there to be lived, so get on with it.” It’s a maxim which takes on even g

Rod Hannifey is no stranger to long hauls behind the wheel of truck bringing freight from state to state across Australia. Over the years, Hannifey says he has found music, radio shows, and more recently, audiobooks, have provided welcome company whi

Iveco Trucks Australia has been offered a $500,000 grant as part of a broader Victorian Government initiative designed to encourage more Victorian-based businesses to introduce and support zero emission vehicles. One of only four recipients, Iveco sa

Livestock, Bulk & Rural Carriers Association (LBRCA) president Wade Lewis has announced that the association is seeking nominations for young driver of the year for 2023. Nominations are open until January 20, 2023. The award will be presented at the

Having read the article, ‘Costly and flawed advice from NSW Revenue’ in OwnerDriver’s September issue, I would like to comment. I am a retired truck driver, 78 years old, and although having come up through earlier times of rag tyre, mechanical hand

There’s been a changing of the guard in the Great Western Plains region of New South Wales, with Tracserv in Dubbo appointing a new dealer principal. The dealership’s founder Richard Kirby passed the torch on to his daughter Leandra Gale on September

Let me set the scene for all the avid readers out there. It is Monday morning as I sit in my office (sauna) here in balmy Queensland. The fan is recirculating the humid air as I try and avoid breaking out the air-con too early – I’m all for saving th

The recent news that Coles, one of the nation’s largest supermarkets, has written to suppliers to demand they cut costs rather than request price rises comes as no surprise. Inflation is the ‘word of the year’. It’s the genie the Federal Government w

November was Movember which aims to raise awareness of men’s health issues, while October was Safety at Work month. The Lights on the Hill Memorial Convoy and Memorial Service Weekend was held at Gatton, Queensland, in October as well, to remember al

Since I last wrote, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has announced two critical steps to ensure the Performance Based Standards (PBS) scheme continues to deliver improved, fit-for-purpose outcomes and efficiencies for industry, the environ

In recent months I’ve seen a few transport companies caught out when a speeding fine arrives in the company name. It’s one of those situations where people find themselves with enormous fines, often without realising they’ve done the wrong thing. The

So often over so many years, MAN has been a case of desire outstripping deed. Simply, more hopes than highlights. Still, there’s no question that throughout the brand’s long association with the Australian market, there have been tasks and times when

Transport Women Australia Limited (TWAL) has announced the scholarship winners for Daimler Truck Australia Pacific-sponsored Driving the Difference scholarship winners for 2022. TWAL says it is proud to provide this opportunity every year to women in

I was in Mackay for a Heavy Vehicle Road Safety Forum last month, having been invited by Queensland Police. There are many industry issues, the dragging on of the Heavy Vehicle National Law review the biggest, but the on-road issues and the safety of

As we head into another busy Christmas period, it’s safe to say it’s been a challenging year for owner-drivers. While many industries are shutting down as we head towards the end of the year, demand in road transport is ramping up – and so is the sup

Q: How did it feel to accept the award? A: It was a real honour; I’ve been working in the transport industry all my life but being so young I never expected anything like an award that’s for sure. Q: Did you ever think you would win? A: No way, I nev

No one wants to be off the road for two days waiting for a part, but the reality of the Australian experience is that such occasions may arise. Tallebudgera-based owner-driver John Irwin carts heavy machinery around Queensland, using a Scania R 580 V

The Owner-Drivers (Contracts and Disputes) Amendment Bill 2022 has passed Western Australia’s Parliament, which is said to provide additional protections for small business and independent contractors in the road freight transport industry. The amend