The Hon. Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Media Release, 23 March 2026

The Albanese Government is helping Australia’s trucking industry manage the impacts of the war in the Middle East, ensuring truckies and transport operators are better protected from fuel price rises.

With global uncertainty leading to significant impacts on our transport industry, our Government is taking practical action to support the truckies and transport operators who keep the Australian economy moving.

The Government will amend the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) to allow truckies and road transport businesses to make an emergency application for a contract chain order to deal with the current spike in fuel prices caused by the war in the Middle East.

Under the Fair Work Act, the Fair Work Commission can require transport clients, including retailers, mining companies and manufacturers, to offer fair contract terms, ensuring that truckies and transport operators are paid enough to cover the cost of fuel.

Currently, a minimum of six months is required for a contract chain order, and our amendment will remove that wait time, so truckies and transport operators aren’t left to worry about managing rising costs on their own.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Amanda Rishworth:

“The Albanese Government is again stepping up to help create fairness through the supply chain and manage the impacts of global fuel challenges.

“Truckies and transport operators need to be protected from fuel price rises and it’s important that costs are shared fairly through the supply chain.

“We are making sure the independent Fair Work Commission can act quickly to deal with these issues.

“Truck drivers and businesses are a critical part of Australia’s daily economy, ensuring food and goods are delivered where needed, and we have their backs.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King:

“Without trucks, the movement of essential supplies across Australia stops.

“Fuel price spikes are affecting everyone, but no one is feeling it more acutely than those whose day-jobs and livelihoods are behind the wheel of heavy vehicles.

“That’s why we’re making it easier for them to renegotiate how costs are shared across the supply chain. 

“It’ll mean truckies can get back to moving the items we need, without worrying about their business stalling due to rising costs.”