The Queensland Livestock Transporters Association announced that trucking companies cannot continue to absorb rising truck registration and fuel costs. According to spokeswoman, Liz Schmidt, some operators have increased freight rates more than five per cent since July 1.
Schmidt says the carbon tax is also a contributing factor and it is unfortunate that the costs will need to be passed on to graziers. “The poor old grazier, he is a price taker, he has absolutely no option but to wear it,” she says. “We as an industry, if we don't pass it onto our customers, we won't be around either.
“So we have worn much of the bill. I know the increase in A-trailer registrations for B-doubles last year, many operators bore that cost and didn't pass it on but we just can't continue to do that and remain viable,” she adds.
“Everything is increasing, registration is increasing, all sort of other inputs are increasing and my understanding is some of the larger operators who have people to do their sums for them have estimated up to a six per cent increase. Some of that will be carbon tax, I don't know how they attribute any increase to one particular area but certainly freight rates will go up.”
.png){kind=small}
.jpg)
