In the media

COVID19 in Australia: Keep the trucking industry delivering essential supplies by halting toll costs or suspending the fuel-based road user charges
As the largest national representative road freight transport association NatRoad is calling on Government to support the call to action to reduces operating costs for our industry members (21 March 2020). More...

Shipping lines critiqued on electronic messaging shortfall
Social distancing means paper delivery orders 'hobble container supply chain'. Shipping lines critiqued on electronic messaging shortfall, with container shipping lines are urged to modernise container park messaging (20 March 2020). More...

Man charged over alleged importation of $170,000 of ketamine
A man has been charged by NSW Police Force over the importation of ketamine, which was detected by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers in an air cargo consignment from the United Kingdom (19 March 2020). More...

TCA releases new specification for telematics devices
Transport Certification Australia (TCA) has released a new specification for telematics devices for road managers and regulators across the country using the Road Infrastructure Management (RIM) application and the Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA) (19 March 2020). More...

Victoria follows QLD in freeing up trucks to deliver goods
Curfews imposed on heavy vehicles and other delivery vehicles have been lifted by the Victorian Government it announced, to reduce burden on supply chains as road freight specialists and final mile delivery companies respond to dwindling stocks on supermarket shelves (19 March 2020). More...

Queensland slams door on cargo ships; desperately needed goods at risk
Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) has late this morning (18 March) banned all commercial ships from entering ports in Queensland if the ship, or any person onboard, has been in any country outside of Australia within the last 14-days (18 March 2020). More...

Heavy vehicle safety set for boost in bushfire affected communities
Townships and regional areas affected by recent bushfires will be assessed by the Federal Government as it loosens the purse strings on $300 million in funding to upgrade key infrastructure for trucks across Australia (18 March 2020). More...

Other States Must Follow Queensland's Lead on Curfews
The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) has congratulated the Queensland Government for its move to permit 24 hour deliveries to retail premises for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis and called on other state and territory governments to immediately follow suit (18 March 2020). More...

New funding for bridges and heavy vehicle safety
Communities affected by the recent bushfires will be assessed as a priority under Round 5 of the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government's Bridges Renewal Program (BRP) and Round 7 of the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP) (17 March 2020). More...

Report puts livestock supply chain safety in focus
The NHVR is calling for feedback on future safety reforms across the livestock supply chain. NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto told Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association's 2020 Conference in Tamworth that the review would target several key areas where Chain of Responsibility laws applied to the movement of sheep and cattle (16 March 2020). More...

Austroads bridge research pinpoints access inefficiencies
Peak roads agency Austroads has unveiled its research aimed at reducing the impacts of heavy vehicles on bridge infrastructure while maintaining freight productivity (16 March 2020). More...

NHVR urges caution over spate of grape spills
The NHVR is warning drivers to be aware of spilled grapes on South Australian roads. NHVR Manager Stakeholder Engagement John Gilbert said that it was critical that operators, vineyards, wineries and others involved in transporting grapes put in place robust safety systems to ensure a safe journey for everyone (16 March 2020). More...

Vic Govt extends road train access for drought-stricken farmers
Grain and hay freight movements still desperately needed by drought-ravaged communities will get a boost under a temporary extension to the Victorian road train network according to the State Government (16 March 2020). More...

Heavy vehicle industry praises incentives to activate business spending
The Australian Government's "Coronavirus stimulus package" announced has pulled the right levers to encourage spending according to HVIA (12 March 2020). More...

Federal funding to fix 147 'Black Spots' in NSW
A total of 147 dangerous crash sites across New South Wales will become safer under the latest round of the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government's Black Spot Program. Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said this investment would deliver safer roads in local government areas throughout the state (11 March 2020). More...

More rest stops for drivers to revive
Motorists travelling on the Bruce Highway between Cairns and Ingham have more places to stop and revive thanks to a $3.2 million safety upgrade package. Senator for Queensland Susan McDonald said since the jointly funded $12.6 billion Bruce Highway Upgrade Program began in 2013, 27 new rest areas have been constructed and many of these areas are suitable as truck stops (11 March 2020). More...

Published - articles, papers, reports

Investigation and Development of Bridge Formulae for Inclusion in the Performance-based Standards
AUSTROADS AP-R615-20: 13 March 2020
The May 2018 National Transport Commission review of the Australian Performance-Based Standards (PBS) scheme revealed the need to improve the efficiency of heavy vehicle access via the PBS scheme to access substantial national freight productivity. More...

NHVR: Newsletter
F
ortnightly newsletter providing 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...

ATSB Investigations
17/03/2020 - Fractured bogie frame on coal train TM78A at Kooragang, NSW, on 12 December 2017 - final report
A fatigue crack in a coal train wagon bogie went undetected during preventative maintenance before it escalated to a full fracture, increasing the risk of derailment, an ATSB investigation has highlighted.

Practice and Regulation

HVIA Event Cancellations
17 March 2020 HVIA State Committee meetings postponed
18 March 2020 ComVec 2020 conference postponed in response to outbreak

HVIA: ADR 38/05 - Trailer Brake Certification - Evidence Submission Deadline
HVIA would like to remind members supplying brake kits or Agents certifying brake kits, that that the deadline for conducting and submitting your outstanding SARN applications, must be submitted and approved by the 30th April 2020. More...

NHVR: feedback on future safety reforms across the livestock supply chain
According to the Livestock Supply Chain Issues Paper, movement of sheep and cattle makes up about four per cent of the national freight task, but accounts for more than 10 per cent of accidents, including a significant number of rollovers. Submissions to the Livestock Supply Chain Review close on April 24, 2020. Click here to respond to the issues raised.

NHVR Reminder: Survey seeks insight into industry's safety management
The NHVR has released a survey into how the heavy vehicle industry and supply chain is tackling their safety responsibilities. Operators can complete the survey until 31 March. More...

NatRoad Submission Topic: NHVR Draft Productivity Plan
Submitted to: NHVR; Date submitted: 13 March 2020
NatRoad seeks greater reform measures in a number of areas especially in measuring compliance costs, better access to data from the NHVR registration database and binding rules on local governments in assessing access permits. More...

TLI Logistics Operations: Project Updates: ASIC Approval
At its meeting on Tuesday, 25 February 2020, the AISC approved the Transport and Logistics Training Package Release 6.0 for referral to the COAG Skills Council for endorsement (19 March 2020). More...

International Chamber of Shipping (ICS): Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for the shipping industry
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has issued guidance for the global shipping industry to help combat the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Among a raft of measures highlighted in the guidance the document contains advice on managing Port Entry Restrictions, offers practical Protective Measures Against COVID-19 for Seafarers, including an Outbreak Management Plan. Free to download from the ICS website (09 March 2020). More...

SAL UPDATE: commercial shipping in Australia and the coronavirus
Several key decisions were announced on Sunday 15 March. Decisions were announced in respect of international air passengers (including relief crews flying in for a crew-change), ships' crews arriving in Australia by sea, and a ban on cruise ships berthing in Australia. Details are outlined here (16 March 2020). More...

ABF: Restrictions on Entry to Australia by Commercial Vessels
Travel restriction on all non-Australian citizens and non-residents 20 March 2020, non-Australian citizens and non-Australian residents will not be allowed to enter Australia, via aircraft or sea vessel. The following exemptions apply: Airline crew and maritime crew. More...

Maritime Safety Queensland: COVD-19
International vessels: General Manager Direction to Masters of all ships Queensland - COVID 19 - International Vessels, Issued 15 March
The ship must not enter a Queensland pilotage area until 14 days have elapsed since the ship or any relevant person on board the ship left a country outside Australia, whichever is later. More...

AMSA: Seafarer welfare during COVID-19 outbreak
This includes the ability of seafarers to be repatriated home at the end of their service or to join a ship at a foreign port. The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC) has strict controls on service periods at sea and seafarers' rights to repatriation. The Tokyo MOU has guidelines for shipping companies which will be available online.
Australian published guidance for maritime workers, including pilots, on Australia's border requirements is available at Department of Home Affairs, Department of Health and Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

AMSA: New requirements for vessels carrying passengers
The new changes have been made through Marine order 504 (Certificates of operation and operation requirements - national law) Amendment 2020. From the 31 May 2020, any domestic commercial vessel that carries passengers must meet new requirements for passenger safety. Make sure your safety management system adequately addresses your passengers' safety. More....

Senate: Consultations
Importance of a viable, safe, sustainable and efficient road transport industry
Status: Submissions closed. Date Referred: 11 September 2019. Next Hearing: 16 March 2020. Reporting Date: 14 October 2020

AIS: Transport and Logistics Industry Reference Committee Projects
The Case for Endorsement will be considered at the Committee's first meeting in 2020.
TLI Chain of Responsibility
TLI Heavy Vehicle Driver Safety
TLI Freight Forwarding

Legislation

Commonwealth

Act Compilation

Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983
12/03/2020 - Act No. 41 of 1983 as amended
Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983

Regulations

Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements) Determination 2020
18/03/2020 - The purpose of this legislative instrument is to impose a requirement that international cruise ships not enter Australian ports before 15 April 2020.

Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Declaration 2020
18/03/2020 - This instrument declares that a human biosecurity emergency exists under the Biosecurity Act 2015.

Gazetted 16 March 2020

Heavy Vehicle National Law - Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps - Amendment Notice 2020 (No.2)
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 2020 (No.2)

NSW

Regulations and other miscellaneous instruments
Rail Safety (Adoption of National Law) Amendment (Drug and Alcohol Testing) Regulation 2020 (2020-89) & published LW 13 March 2020

Queensland

Subordinate legislation as made - 20 March 2020
No 32 Petroleum and Gas (Safety) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2020
tents (2020 - 32)
4 Amendment of s 11 (Activities prescribed for definition of operating plant); 9 Amendment of s 74 (Who is the operator of certain LPG delivery networks); 12 Amendment of s 78 (When operator must not supply fuel gas to gas system); 3 Amendment of s 80 (Operator of LPG delivery network must ensure only particular persons supply LPG through the network); 22 Amendment of s 139 (Transporting and supplying LPG cylinders)

Bills Updated

Resources Safety and Health Queensland Bill 2019
Introduced by: Hon A Lynham on 4/09/2019
Stage reached: Passed with amendment on 17/03/2020

Transport and Other Legislation (Road Safety, Technology and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2020
Introduced by: Hon M Bailey MP on 17/03/2020; Stage reached: Referred to Committee on 17/03/2020
28 41Amendment of s 94 (Replacement of s 91M (Interlock period)) .28 42 Replacement of s 96 (Amendment of s 91P (Applying for interlock exemption)

Victoria

Acts

Road Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2020
Date of assent: 17 March 2020 Act Number: 6/2020

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.