Razorback Blockade
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Razorback Blockade was the name given to an industrial campaign In Australia that saw multiple roads across New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria blocked by trucks. The blockade was the result of a long running dispute impacting truck drivers where they were charged a road tax based on a per ton, per mile calculation for trucks. This made road transport more expensive than rail which was owned by state governments, giving the states an unfair commercial advantage.[1][2]
Background
A road tax was introduced late in 1932, towards the end of the 3rd Lang Government to protect the New South Wales Government Railways.[3][4]
In 1952 a petition was presented to NSW Parliament by independent John Seiffert on behalf on the Long Distance Road Transport Association.[5]
In April 1953 the full bench of the High Court of Australia ruled that a road tax imposed on goods shipped to Queensland by road at 3d per mile per ton was legal.[6] This decision was later referred to Privy Council who in 1954 overturned based on their reading of Section 92 of the Constitution of Australia. This decision opened opportunities for interstate freight but created a number of issues for intrastate freight and railways.[7]
The road tax for a 12 ton load from Sydney to Melbourne prior to this decision was ₤105 with ₤90 going to NSW and ₤15 going to Victoria. Transport authorities immediately decided to meet in late November to discuss the situation.[8] On 26 November, NSW Transport Minister Ernest Wetherell announced that new legislation would be rushed through Parliament to provide for collecting revenue and to control interstate trucks.[9]
In January 1955 it was revealed that the new legislation was likely to only yield half of that which was being collected prior to Privy Council decision.[10] When the new road tax was introduced from 1 February 1955 it was calculated that it collected one third of the previous system.[11]
While the legislative wrangle was taking place individuals were still being prosecuted for road tax and fines imposed by authorities. In September 1953 Albert James was serving a 9 and half month gaol sentence, and had been declared bankrupt.[12]
In December 1954 the Firehocks from Ascot, Queensland took out a Supreme Court writ against the Government of Queensland and the Transport Commissioner alleging that they were charged ₤6227/9/ in contravention of section 92 of the Constitution.[13]
For a long time residents of the Australian Capital Territory had be unfairly impacted the NSW Road tax as all goods entering had to come through NSW. In 1964 it was raised again with a request to the Menzies for an inquiry to be held.[14] In March 1965 road tax of ₤50/11/11 for a load weighing 21 tons to be carted from Sydney to Canberra.[15]
In 1966 price rise on Queensland rail freight and subsequent road tax increases to keep rail competitive resulted in woolgrowers from around Winton shipping their produce an extra 800 miles to Sydney as the interstate road tax was considerably less. This caused significant angst and raised concerns that up to 50% of wool sales in Brisbane would be cancelled due the volumes being shipped to Sydney.[16] In NSW the Government collected $7.5m in fines from more than 7,000 convictions related to road tax, by 1975 the amount had risen to over $14m from 10,000 convictions.[2]
In 1967 the Privy Council would again hear arguments about the Road tax, specifically section 92 of the Constitution. Though the action was brought against the state of NSW, all other states (except Tasmania) and the Commonwealth would seek to be parties in support of NSW.[17] In Victoria a driver was sentenced to 6 years for non-payment of road taxes in Victoria and NSW. The Long Distance Road Transport Association was appealing to the NSW Minister for a different method punishment for defaulters. While in Victoria the Road Transport Association was negotiating for with the Victorian minister for his release. No other industry was being treated with callous disregard.[18]
The Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association held a conference in 1969 with 200 attendees. The delegates asked the SA Treasurer to provide details on the amount of road tax collected on the Eyre Peninsula and how much of that road tax spent in the area.[19]
Blockade
The truck drivers had been seeking these conditions;[20]
- Equitable freight rates
- Abolishon of Road Tax
- No back loading
- Raise weight limts from 36 to 38 tonnes
- Equal pay for all drivers, and the means to enforce it
- No compulsory membership of the TWU
- Uniformed weight and speed limits across Australia
- Introduction of a licensing system to improve resale value and job security
- Exploration of the possibility of Owner Drivers forming their own association
- Stoppage of all current and pending related to road traffic breaches.
- Assurance no driver would be dismissed as result of the Blockades.
- Moratorium on hire purchase payments and adjustment so that compulsory holidays would not require drivers to be paid during that time.
2 April
On 2 April 1979 five drivers, namely Ted Stevens, Barry Grimson, Jack Hibbert, Colin Bird and Spencer Watling, parked their trucks across the Hume Highway when the road peaked as it climbed Razorback Mountain in Razorback, New South Wales. They were later joined by Carle Goodfellow who blocked the nearby Menangle Road that enable vehicles to bypass the blockade. As word spread blockades in support were established across NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.[2]
3 April
Blockades in Syndey, Newcastle, and Wollongong were started effectively closing those areas to heavy vehicles. The number of vehicles at the Yass blockade was now estimated to be 600.[21]
Four men were arrested at the Razorback Blockade on the Hume Highway. They were arrest for assulting a police officer by running into him as they parking a truck thats was joining the protest. Witnesses said that the police officer jumped onto the bullbar of truck, while police say the officer was struck by a truck. The Police was not hurt during the incident.[22]
Both houses of the NSW Parliament sat late into the night to rush through special legislation for dealing with the blockades, the Transport Minister said the measures will tough.[22]
Freight Argosy aircraft have been brought in from IPEC's Tasmanian service to cart frieght to Sydney. The aircraft can deliver 12 tons of cargo each trip, the equillivent of one semi trailer load. IPEC has three craft available that do 4 trips per day, TAA and Ansett are operating at maximum freight capacity and are considering add more freight flights. Victorian rail officials have yet see any increase in demand for rail freight.[23]
4 April
A blockade had been established at the Shell Roadhouse in South Yass, but a threat received by Commonwealth Police saw vehicles with dangerous goods being moved to the Yass Showgrounds, the drivers organised teams to keep a 24hour watch over the trucks. There was also an agreement that trucks carting stock for the Yass sales would be permitted to pass and unload but loaded trucks not be allowed to leave the sale yards. Trucks carrying supplies to hospitals, or goods to the Easter Show were given an exemption to the blockade. [24]
"We've tried everything else, what else could we do"
— Truck Driver; Kym Peterson[24]
A meetng in Sydney between the Minister for Transport Mr Cox, Industrial Relations Minister Mr Hills and representatives of the driver ended without a resolution. The representatives left saying that no more blockades would established though existing ones would remain in place.[21]
Four people previously arrested at the Razorback Blockade two from Sydney, two from Melbourne were remanded in custody at the Campbelltown Court to reappear tomorrow.[21]
Blockades were starting to appear in Queensland at Toowoomba, Ipswich, Aratula, and Coomera as well as at various towns along the NSW border. In South Australia a blockade appeared near to Old Toll Both in Glen Osmond at the foot of Mount Barker.[25]
5 April
Talks to end the blockade collapsed, afterwards spokesman Ted Stevens said that all rail yards in Sydney and Melbourne will be subject to blockades. Stevens also reaffirmed that private cars and emergency vehicles will continue to pass through blockades unimpeded. Emergency legislation in NSW was passed to give the Government the power to remove trucks from blocking the highways.[26]
Sir Charles Court Premier of Western Australia said that WA been severely impacted by the Commonwealths decision to further reduce fund for roads meant that the road tax could not be removed. In Victoria Premier Hamer said it was now their governments policy to abolish road tax and replace it a tax on fuels.[26]
6 April
With an estimate of 7,000 trucks at a standstill in NSW and many hundreds more across the other states the NSW Government met to consider gazetting yesterdays legislation to enable the forceful removal ot truck blocking highways. In Western Sydney blockades at Windsor and Prospect where allowing private cars to pass but stopping trucks. Truck trying to break through a blockade at McGraths Hill resulted in a scuffle with a fire breaking out. Another incident at Mount Victoria two men were arrested after a police officer was hit by a truck trying to break through a blockade there that consisted of about 100 trucks.[26]
Truck drivers at blockades around had establish communities with a Blockade boss at each site. The Boss was calling the shot attending to the needs aech location. Tasks included where trucks parked, stopping trucks crossing the line, organinsg teams to keep watch of the community, and even releaving police on traffic management. They had communal areas with camp fires, cooking equiment, televisions. At Yass they organised a dance on another night they organised a BBQ at the local RSL for 50cents a head.[27]
Senator Don Chipp said that minimum rates should be established for road freight. Sneator Chipp also suggested that some sort of regulation should be brought in similar to that of the taxi industry. This move would ensure that drivers would have sufficient work and access to capitol resources without having to work around the clock just to survive.[28]
7 April
There were now 40 locations that had blockades spread across the various states involved, while Transport Ministers from each state were meeting in Melbourne. NSW Premier Mr Wran remarked that the continuing blockades amounted to an insurrection. Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser said that the Federal Government would not reimburse states if they end road tax. All routes into Canberra had blockades though truck with Medical supplies, Australia Post vehicles and floats heading to the Canberra Trots were being allowed past.[29]
8 April
On the blockades life is relaxing truckies sit around sharing stories over quiet drink though there is no alcohol at the blockades, some head into town other catchup on maintaining their trucks. For a small group its their turn volunteering to man the blockade along with two police officers. One police officer is there when a vehicle is stopped and check to make sure no-one is trying to hide freight, Buses get a bit extra scrutiny but under every tarp the load is checked. During their shift people from the roadhouse regularly take coffee orders and return within a bit later. For the police its an interesting situation they stop the vehicle then the truckies check them. Police are not quite on them yet they are part of the team when ever coffee or food is available the police are included if a truckie step out of line the boss calls them into to deal the truckie.[30]
9 April
It was revealled that Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser had offered Australian Army to support any action to remove the blockades. Meanwhile the Transport Workers Union in Melbourne had said they were not consulted and do not support the blockades. If their members had a police escort they would be will to break through and meet any resistance they would take action.[31]
Mr Wran had met for 2.5hours with representative of the drivers at Camden, though he cancelled his meeting woth reporters afterwards. While meeting ended with no conclusion it was planned for the Wran to meet with representative lawyer, QC David Galbally in Sydney tomorrow. It was revaelled that substantive agreement had been reached.[31]
10 April
At 20:30 David Galbally QC the drivers legal representative put forward a settlement proposal to Premier Wran during a meeting that lasted only 30minutes. Premier Wran rejected the proposal saying he was not satisfied with the offer. NSW Government had proclaimed legislation that gave police the power to remove trucks. In what was being described as the biggest peacetime operation 1,500 Police Officers were being mobilised to move the truck from the blockades.[32]
A convoy of trucks from TNT were driven from Sydney with police escort, the convoy broke through Picton blockade and head for the Yass blockade. At Yas some 700 trucks were there waiting for the them. The police escort left the trucks before they reached the blockade when the trucks reached it some of them had their windows smashed.[32] Two market gardners tried to breach the blockade both trucks were stopped. One of the market gardners pointed a .22caliber rifle at the block, police on the scene intervened and his truck was allowed to pass through. Mr Wran said that truckies were an enemy of the people and that Ted Grenn Dog Stevens was an anarchist. A plan was drawn up by the Australian Army to help clear the trucks, it was expected that men from an Engineering unit in Sydney were to be assigned.[32][33]
11 April
After a final meeting of the men at the Razorback mountain pass where it all began Ted Stevens spoke to reporters;
We have won our fight, won the right to arbitration, which is the greatest victory this industry has ever had
— Ted Stevens[34]
Cans of beer appeared in the hands of truckies in celebration of the win. During the whole time drivers were at blockades, no alcohol had been sighted. The men were jubliant at being able to return to their families and homes. In one last final defiant moment the horns of the 700 trucks blasted out from Razorback Mountian pass. They started to break up and leave in small groups some heading towards Sydney others towards Melbourne, it was expected that the truck would reach Sydney by peak hour.[34]
Aftermath
As news spread about the resolution trucks started to move. In Yass a hat was passed around for the people and police of Yass who had supported the blockade, $1,000 was raise for local charities. A collection was also raised for the truckstops of Yass, sepcial note was given to John Bach of the Shell truckstop who supported with his place being the Yass headquarters of that Blockade. Drivers chipped in and made a gift to Bach in recognition of his help and in freely supplying coffee to all during their stay. Mr Bach said he wouldnt put that money in the til but rather put it towards buying Lottery tickets with all winnings to be given to the Union that was to be established from this.[35]
Police Sargeant Jack Donohue was praise for his efforts in working with the drivers, and managing the impact of so many trucks trying to depart. Donohue co-ordinated traffic for 2 days as trucks departed to Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra he arrange it so that small groups depart approxiamately every 20 minutes so as not to cause congestion. Don Hunter the spokes person at Yass expressed disappointment in some of the reporting about blockade, noting one radio station in Canberra had reported that supplies of headlice treatments and asthma medication had been prevented from reaching Canberra. Hunter pointed out that the drivers lacked the experience of organising such a co-ordinated event, but that they never stopped medical supplies and that a shipment of dialysis treatments from Sydney has passed smoothly through to Canberra with every blockade on route ensuring that it was not delayed.[35]
In Melbourne it was announced that an organisation to be known as the Australian Transport Industry Association, it purpose is to represent the 10,000 owner drivers most of whom had joined blockades across the country. Ted Stevens, leader of the Razorback Blockade, revealed that he had been ask to be the President of the Association. It was not all good news for Stevens, he told reporters that his finance company had been in touch and that they were repossessing his $45,000 truck.[36]
So I lose the. truck, but what the hell.
That doesn't mean that I'm going to
give up fighting for this industry.
— Ted Stevens[36]
NSW Premier Mr Wran was very critical of Queensland and Victoria who agreed to the truckies requests with them was support from the Federal Government which forced NSW to accept the truckies agreement. For the media he was critical of the all nonsense written about the dispute. NSW Minister for Consumer Affairs Mr Einfield said that he had taken steps to honour the Governments side of the agreement.[34]
The NSW Government removed the road tax because of the Razorback Blockade, it was estimated that they were set to lose $20 million per annum. On 29 December the NSW quietly introduced a registration weight tax of $300 something that had been abolished in 1958, expected to net the government $6m per year. The quiet method of implementing the tax caught the drivers associations off guard. The tax was implemented from the 1 January 1980, the timing and quiet nature around the legislation meant the drivers were unable to implement any actions.[37]