THE Transport Workers’ Union has welcomed the appointment of Catherine King, Tony Burke and Glenn Sterle to their new posts on the federal Labor front bench.
As reported by DCN, Ms King is taking on infrastructure, Tony Burke industrial relations and Glenn Sterle assistant minister for road safety.
TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said the transport industry faced many challenges and needed tireless advocates.
“We are delighted that there is a strong team in opposition to the Federal Government,” Mr Kaine said.
“The Coalition has acted with intentional destructiveness towards the transport industry, tearing down three years ago a road safety watchdog which was investigating risks to safety in trucking.”
Mr Kaine said Catherine King had proved during her time as health spokesman that she understood industry reform, with the proposal for cancer care and pledge to increase public hospital funding.
“Transport requires a similar approach with new ideas needed on how to tackle the threats to jobs in transport from the gig economy and with tough regulation needed to make road transport safer,” Mr Kaine said.
“As a member of parliament from a regional area like Ballarat, Catherine will know all too well about the need for safety in trucking and better infrastructure, including rest stops and good quality roads.”
Labor has been forced to reshuffle its front bench following the shattering defeat at the federal election on 18 May.
