The ATA has recommended that any potential carbon price be altered only once a year with at least three months warning of any price changes in this submission to the Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education.

The ATA does not support the introduction of the carbon tax on the trucking industry, given 85 per cent of Australian trucking businesses are small businesses with fewer than five employees. These businesses are entirely comparable to other small businesses exempt from the carbon price, except they happen to operate trucks weighing more than 4.5 tonnes.

However, should the carbon tax be introduced, the ATA recommends that a once a year price change with at least three months warning would enable most businesses to discuss appropriate price changes with their clients and avoid pricing shortfalls.