Federal Senator Glenn Sterle raised the November 5 Fairy Meadow crash in the Senate this week in relation to concerns about the abuse of the visa system.

Border Force is investigating claims the driver involved in the Fairy Meadow crash and others in the Hari Om fleet were on student visas and working more hours than allowed.

“We know that the visa system is being exploited,” Sen Sterle said under parliamentary privilege.

“We are seriously of the opinion that these poor devils are recruited from India, come over here – they may be studying something at university ...They'll start doing part-time B-double operations between Brisbane and Sydney because they have nothing better to do, or drive trucks for this other company, Hari Om.”

He pointed the finger at Hari Om, stating the trucking company was “exploiting the visa system”.

The senator pointed out that every truck in the company’s fleet had been issued with a defect notice from Roads and Maritime Services.

Some were for serious defects like bald tyres and faulty brakes.

Sen Sterle wondered if the companies using Hari Om to carry their items were aware of their track record.

“I'd love to know whose freight they're carting, because I'd love to contact the company and say, ‘Did you know your freight's on the back of these buckets of crap?’,” he said.

The senator said action needed to be taken against the whole supply chain.