Govt to introduce truckies' pay delay bill

Some truck drivers may have to wait until next year to get a base minimum wage if the federal government gets its way.

Legislation will be introduced in federal parliament on April 18 to ensure orders setting mandatory remuneration rates can't commence before January 1, 2017.

The move is being made so new options to truckies' remuneration can be considered while the industry is given some certainty, Employment Minister Michaelia Cash said on Monday.

The start date of the new wage system, originally slated for Monday, was temporarily delayed pending the outcome of an urgent appeal brought by industry.

There are concerns the orders will hurt small and family-operated businesses if they're forced to charge above market rates.

Independent MP Bob Katter, rallying with concerned truckies in Townsville, said operators would be rendered uncompetitive if the new charge rates and regulations were introduced.

The Australian Logistics Council will use the review period to call for the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal to be abolished.

But unions, which say the new pay system helps deal with driver deaths and unsafe contracts, accused the government of siding with rich donors.

"This is a declaration of war on the trucking industry," Transport Workers Union national secretary Tony Sheldon.

"This government has been bankrolled by those big clients. They have stepped in to halt this order."