Keeping Australia Moving collectible – Straight to the poolroom

The Australian heavy vehicle industry presented Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz MP with a memento to thank him for his tireless efforts in supporting the industry through one of the most challenging periods in the nation’s history.

HVIA Chief Executive Todd Hacking passed on the industry’s gratitude during an industry leaders’ roundtable held at the Brisbane Truck Show last month, and the gift is now on show in the Minister’s office at Australia’s Parliament House in Canberra.

“Assistant Minister Buchholz has been instrumental in having our industry recognised for our essential role in keeping Australia moving through the trials of the last eighteen months,” Mr Hacking said.

“That is why the livery of this vehicle is headlined by that phrase: Keeping Australia Moving.

“Mr Buchholz has also been fundamental towards getting appropriate and effective stimulus measures in place through the Instant Asset Write Off, Better Business Investment initiative and now Temporary Full Expensing in place until June 30, 2023.

“Those measures have played an enormous role in enabling us to keep our doors open and we saw that in action with the level of business that took place on the stands at the truck show.

“It also means that the heavy vehicle fleet across the country is being updated with safer, more productive equipment.”

The model is a Drake Collectible that also celebrates some major heavy vehicle industry milestones.

“2021 is the 50^th anniversary of PACCAR’s manufacturing in Australia so the prime mover here is the iconic Kenworth K200,” Mr Hacking said.

“The trailer set is a Freighter T-Liner curtain sided b-double combination, celebrating MaxiTRANS’ oldest brand’s 75^th anniversary.

“The rest of the livery acknowledges the Brisbane Truck Show as part of Australian Heavy Vehicle Industry Week.

“The themes of the week were chosen by our members and exhibitors to represent their values and priorities: safety, innovation, sustainability, careers, knowledge and community.

“We were delighted that Minister Buchholz was able to join us in Queensland, because he knows just how passionate our industry is about every one of those ideals.

“Not only did he meet with industry leaders to discuss the future of the industry, he spent several hours touring the show and talking to exhibitors and attendees.”

Mr Buchholz is renowned for his own passion for trucks and for the industry, having earned his stripes behind the wheel, so if anyone has any thoughts about relieving him of this memento, we have no doubt what his response will be:

“Tell him he’s dreaming.”