BIC National e-Bulletin – July 2022

In this edition of the bulletin we welcome new members, reflect on the 2022 Bus Industry Summit, discuss reforms set to impact the Industry and preliminary details on the upcoming National Conference.

A quick wrap on upcoming events

• Upcoming Expert Webinar: United Safety – Batteries and Fires on Electric Vehicle
  
  This is one you shouldn’t miss! On Tuesday 23 August at 3.30 pm David Sturk, Subject Matter Expert in Battery Safety and Risk Assessment at AB Sturk Consulting, will be presenting a webinar on batteries and fire in electric vehicles. The webinar will provide valuable industry advice on the risk factors and dangers of batteries in vehicles. David will also provide useful information on how and where the industry should invest in safety. To register your attendance or learn more, get in with Mick Hall from United Safety & Survivability Corporation at Mick.Hall@ussc.com.au.
   

• Don’t forget to grab your ticket for the upcoming Australasia Bus Expo on Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 October 2022 in Sydney, hosted by BusNSW. Spots are filling up fast with over 100 exhibitors already having registered. Book now!

• The 17th conference of the International Conference Series on Competition and Ownership in Land Passenger Transport (Thredbo) is being held in Sydney from Sunday 4 to Friday 9 September 2022. 

• Stay up to date: National and International Events Calendar

What a fantastic event! Thank you to all members who took the opportunity to join us for the 2022 Bus Industry Summit (Summit) here in Canberra. The Summit was a huge success with over 260 delegates in attendance representing a range of industry sectors including, operators, suppliers, government, academia, and association representation.

We were delighted to engage with our interstate members – making up eighty-five percent of all attendees. There was a broad manufacturer and supplier presence at the event, with the majority of delegates representing bus operators and Government.

Summit Day 1 delved into zero emission initiatives and the development of realistic industry implementation strategies.
Presentations highlighted the critical need for industry and Government to thoroughly engage and consult on infrastructure requirements ultimately enabling and support zero emission initiatives.

Highlights of the summit included insightful presentations on the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator work program, heavy vehicle national law, vehicle standards and the BIC’s update on development of Australian Design Rules and bus fleet replacement modelling. To download the full presentations click here.  

Planning for the 2023 National Summit is already underway, with the event scheduled for the first
quarter of 2023. Stay tuned for more information.

What’s new in government

The new Federal Government (Government) has committed to bringing updated policy and action into the bus, coach and transport industry along with changes to the industrial relations landscape. These changes will impact our industry and we look forward to representing our members as we continue to move people and look to the future.

From 1 August 2022, fuel tax credit rates are increasing in line with fuel excise duty indexation. The new rates are available on the Government’s website here. The biodiesel rate which increased on 1 July 2022 is set to increase again on 1 August 2022. Please see the full details and Government’s tools below.

Temporary reduction in fuel tax credits

• The temporary reduction in fuel tax credit rates is for 6 months from

30 March to 28 September
2022.

• Until that time, you won’t be able to claim fuel tax credits for use in heavy vehicles for travelling on public roads. This is because the road user charge exceeds the excise duty paid, which reduces the fuel tax credit rate to nil.

If you:

• acquired fuel during this period that includes the higher duty rate paid by the manufacturer or distributor before 30 March, then the duty paid may be higher than the fuel tax credit you can claim. If you are experiencing cash flow
  difficulties and can’t pay your BAS on time, you can contact the ATO on 13 11 42 to request more time to pay the difference.
• are experiencing cash flow difficulties for other reasons, the ATO have support measures available to help you.
  
  The fuel tax credit calculator can help you use the right rates, even when rates change during the BAS period.

Welcoming new members

Welcome to our new members. Mondo Power, Australian owned and leading energy infrastructure developers, owners, and operators, and Swagelock EANZ who specialise in hydrogen transportation and infrastructure.

2022 Moving People National Conference

The BIC’s National Conference is on the horizon. From Sunday 13 to Wednesday 16 November 2022. The Moving People National Conference will be held in sunny Brisbane at the Sofitel Brisbane Central, QLD. The theme for the conference is “Moving People > Navigating Change”. We are excited to engage with members and industry in high-level discussion on developing situations, challenges, opportunities, and practical solutions. Several highly regarded policy leaders will be presenting on key topics at the conference. This is your opportunity to meet industry leaders and consult on future challenges, needs and opportunities. Conference registrations will open in the coming weeks.

The BIC has successfully engaged with hotel operators to secure accommodation
discounts and group booking facilities for members. More information will be circulated via an e-alert when registration and accommodations links are open.

We would like to remind readers that nominations for the 2022 National Industry Awards are now open, if you would like to nominate an organisation for a National Award, please submit nominations via our website (https://bic.asn.au/2022) by Friday 14 October 2022.

Nomination forms are available here.