Trucking companies want the federal government to drop a plan to set up an independent tribunal to set drivers' pay rates.
Legislation to set up the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal was introduced into parliament in November last year.
The tribunal will examine road transport industry issues and practices and determine minimum rates of pay and related conditions for employed and self-employed drivers.
It also would have to take the viability of truck businesses and the likely impact on the national economy into account.
But the National Road Transport Operators Association (NatRoad) says the tribunal is unnecessary and will not improve safety.
"NatRoad cannot support the bill given the regulatory impact statement acknowledges that there is no definitive proof that a 'safe pay rate' can be set and linked to road safety," chief executive Christopher Melham said in a statement on Monday.
"The government needs to focus its efforts on continuing to achieve results on the proven road safety strategies and programs that have already been agreed to by industry and government that involve all road users."
He said the legislation also fails to take into account research showing car drivers are at fault in four out of five fatal accidents involving trucks and other vehicles.
"There needs to be greater safety focus on all road users sharing roads with heavy vehicles," he said.
Mr Melham urged the government to withdraw the bill.
NatRoad would consider supporting new regulations, which mandated extra payment to drivers for time lost while they were waiting to load or unload their truck because of hold ups elsewhere in the supply chain.
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