In the media

ATA calls for vehicle inspection and defect overhaul
The new Heavy Vehicle National Law should make significant reforms to defect notices and national inspection policies, the Australian Trucking Association says (20 September 2019). More...

NatRoad throws its weight behind Senate probe
The Senate's impending road freight transport industry inquiry has gained National Road Transport Association backing. The review is to focus on rates, conditions, recruitment, safety, technology and relations with government and authorities (19 September 2019). More...

NHVR shares driver safety recommendations
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has made a number of recommendations to support driver safety in response to the National Transport Commission's issues paper 'Safe People and Practices' (18 September 2019). More...

Senate Committee should focus on customer practices
The NatRoad has welcomed the Senate Committee inquiry into the road transport industry. CEO of NatRoad Warren Clark said looking at all of the fundamentals of how the industry operates and marrying them with the expected outcome of the Heavy Vehicle National Law will be a valuable process (18 September 2019). More...

NatRoad Supports NSW Government road safety change
The NatRoad has welcomed the NSW Government's decision to change the road rule requiring vehicles to slow down to 40km/h when passing stationary emergency vehicles with flashing blue or red lights. NatRoad CEO Warren Clark said light vehicle drivers often don't understand that heavy vehicles need more time to slow down than light vehicles (18 September 2019). More...

HVIA calls for changes to RVSA Rules
HVIA is calling for changes to the Rules that sit under the Road Vehicles Standards Act (RVSA) to protect against massive cost implications for industry (18 September 2019). More...

Cultural shift crucial to improving safety, NHVR says
The driver and all parties in the Chain of Responsibility can positively or negatively influence the factors that contribute to the safe driver, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator says in a submission to the Heavy Vehicle National Law review (17 September 2019). More...

Sydney Gateway ramps issue unites freight bodies
A range of freight and logistics industry bodies has called on the New South Wales government to re-instate access ramps for heavy vehicles at Canal Road in St Peters to the design of Sydney Gateway. It insists the move is needed so that the project "delivers the promised safety and efficiency benefits for the freight industry and for the local community" (16 September 2019). More...

Two bulk carriers banned from Australian ports in one day
In an unprecedented move, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority has banned two bulk carriers from Australian ports for breaching the most basic rights of seafarers (13 September 2019). More...

Dangerous Goods Movement study
NatRoad attended a Dangerous Goods Industry Workshop on 3 September 2019 to assist with the planning of a study about dangerous goods movements in Sydney. This work will assist with any proposed reforms of the dangerous goods laws, including issues of access (12 September 2019). More...

Austroads pursues improvements to heavy vehicle licensing and safety
Peak organisation of Australasian road transport and traffic agencies, Austroads, is reviewing the national framework for heavy vehicle driver competency with specific reference to licensing (11 September 2019). More...

Review of the National Framework for Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency – Phase 2
Austroads has continued the program of work to pursue improvements to heavy vehicle licensing and safety (09 September 2019). More...

Published – articles, papers, reports

AUSTROADS rollover crashes: Road design risk factors and infrastructure solutions
AP-R607-19 11 September 2019
Rollover crashes are an undesirable outcome in a substantial proportion of casualty crashes on high-speed roads. Rollovers are especially over-represented in run-off-road crashes due to their direct interaction with the roadside geometry. More...

NHVR on the Road - Issue 68, 16 September 2019
On the Road provides important information on the heavy vehicle industry, including the latest NHVR news and events, relevant law and policy changes, and resources to help industry members comply with the HVNL. More...

In practice and courts

Type Approvals portal - user consultation
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development are developing a new IT system (ROVER) to support applications made under the Road Vehicle Standards legislation. Amongst other things, ROVER will eventually replace the current system (September 2019). More...

HHVR consultation: Grain Harvest Management Schemes Review issues paper
The issues paper looks at the various opportunities and challenges that exist with the current schemes, and options to achieve national consistency. Submissions close on October 18. More...

Senate Inquiries
New Importance of a viable, safe, sustainable and efficient road transport industry
Status: Accepting Submissions. Date Referred: 11 September 2019. Submissions Close: 17 October 2019.

Current Consultations
Performance of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Status: Submissions closed. Date Referred: 23 July 2019. Next Hearing: 13 September 2019.
The policy, regulatory, taxation, administrative and funding priorities for Australian shipping
Status: Submissions closed. Date Referred: 23 July 2019. Reporting Date: 05 December 2019.

NTC effective enforcement issues paper September 2019
Commission to review the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). This is one of eight issues papers that seek your feedback on the HVNL as it is, and opportunities to improve it. NTC will accept submissions online until 31 October 2019. More...

NTC issues paper - Assurance models
Comments due 25 October 2019
NTC Issues Paper - Assurance models

AMSA: Proposed changes to Australian near coastal seafarer certificates
The consultation is open until 29 September 2019. The proposed new Marine Order 505 (Certificates of competency – national law) 2019 provides a standard for certificates of competency and qualifications for crew and masters of domestic commercial vessels. More...

Legislation

Acts

Road Vehicle Standards Legislation Amendment Act 2019
16/09/2019 - Act No. 66 of 2019 as made - A single day to be fixed by Proclamation. However, if the provisions do not commence before 1 July 2021, they commence on that day.

Gazetted

Heavy Vehicle National Law - Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps - Amendment Notice 2019 (No.13)
19/09/2019 - The purpose of this Notice is to amend stated maps for vehicles at the request of road managers.
The amendments take effect 28 days after publication of Amendment Notice 2019 (No.13). This Notice applies in all participating jurisdictions.

Heavy Vehicle National Law Queensland Heavy Vehicle Standards (Conditional Registration) Exemption Notice 2019 (No. 1)
12/09/2019 - The purpose of this notice is to exempt a heavy vehicle to which it applies from certain requirements of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation (the National Regulation). This notice commences on 23 September 2019.

Queensland

Bills updated

Transport Legislation (Road Safety and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2019
Introduced by: Hon M Bailey MP on 13/02/2019
Stage reached: PASSED on 4/09/2019
Assent Date: 12/09/2019 Act No: 25 of 2019
Commences: See Act for details

This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.