In the media

Australian supply chains threatened by containership crew-change crisis
As the crew-change crisis inexplicably drags on, Shipping Australia has warned that vessels will soon be detained, blocking the country's ports and disrupting supply chains (10 July 2020). More...

Shipping Australia Ltd: Extensive emergency restrictions imposed in Australia
Earlier this week (from 07 July 2020) – an extensive outbreak of COVID-19 in the Australian state of Victoria has caused the authorities to impose a wide range of restrictions (09 July 2020). More...

Allow seafarers access to medical care, IMO urges
Seafarers around the world are being denied access to medical care because of rules set up to combat COVID-19. Governments must allow mariners to have access to medical attention, shipping's top body has said (09 July 2020). More...

TruckTracker app driving traceability innovation
An app that aims to improve animal welfare and supply chain communication by tracking livestock trucks from paddock to destination is being developed with the support of a $930,000 Australian Government grant (09 July 2020). More...

HVIA welcomes action on component type approvals
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Communications recently revised its approach to component type approvals, which has been welcomed by the Heavy Vehicle Industry Association (HVIA) after about a year of negotiations (09 July 2020). More...

VIC commercial transport and freight drivers must wear face masks in SA
South Australian Police have advised that commercial transport and freight drivers who usually reside in Victoria are required to wear a face mask when interacting with the public in South Australia and maintain records of close contacts (09 July 2020). More...

New oversize load conditions for Toowoomba Bypas
From 20 July 2020, new conditions will be in place for oversize loads on the Toowoomba Bypass. These conditions are being introduced to ensure the movement of oversize loads are managed in a safe and efficient way, minimising the impact to operators whilst maintaining network efficiency for all road users (09 July 2020). More...

More funding available to reduce road fatalities
Thirteen projects aimed at reducing road fatalities will share in $2 million over the next four years through Round 1 of the Australian Government's Road Safety Innovation Fund (09 July 2020). More...

NSW/Victoria border closure update
After reviewing the criteria for critical services permits yesterday, NSW is creating an additional permit, to better support critical workers in the Freight and Transport sector and to clarify terms and conditions (09 July 2020). More...

NSW has temporarily shut its border with Victoria to contain the spread of COVID-19
If you're travelling from Victoria to NSW, including carrying freight, you will need a COVID-19 NSW border declaration permit. A new permit introduced 9 July 2020 seeks to rectify issues with the NSW entry permit (including requiring a NSW address). Details are outlined here (09 July 2020). More...

Ag supply chain traceability boost to keep us ahead
Australia's status as one of the world's most trusted sources of clean, green and safe produce will be enhanced even further through a $4 million agricultural supply chain traceability boost. (07 July 2020). More...

NatRoad voices opposition to HVNL fine hike
The National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) disagrees with recent increases to Heavy Vehicle National Law (HNVL) penalties. The increases came into effect on July 1 in line with inflation (07 July 2020). More...

CTAA welcomes efficiency and consistency message on ECPs
Transport for NSW publishes the NSW Empty Container Supply Chain Study, the findings of which gained quick support from one interested industry party. TfNSW states key reforms could help save transport and logistics an estimated $49 million per year at Ports (03 July 2020). More...

Port Botany stevedore charges issues
Whilst recognising the Minister's involvement in continuing to be engaged with this issue, IFCBAA does not agree with the Minister's recent response that 1-Stop be engaged by the DPW and Patrick to utilise it's software platform to divert these charges away from carriers and onto "cargo owners" (03 July 2020). More...

Transport and freight businesses urged to register as COVID safe
The NSW Government has launched a new suite of guidance materials to help all types of businesses manage the risk of COVID-19. The transport, freight and rideshare plan can be tailored to variables such as how many people are needed to assist with deliveries, numbers of passengers and where points of contact occur (01 July 2020). More...

NHVR launches heavy vehicle technology blueprint
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has released a blueprint to support manufacturers and operators to incorporate the latest safety technology into new and existing heavy vehicles (30 June 2020). More...

NTC issues simplified HVNL RIS document
The National Transport Commission (NTC) has released a simplified version of its Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) regulation impact statement (RIS) (30 June 2020). More...

Time's up: AMSA sets out maximum seafarer service periods
Ships may be detained if their seafarers have spent too long at sea, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has indicated. An explanation of how AMSA will respond to a variety of lengthy seafarer-service periods has been set out in Marine Notice 04/2020 (29 June 2020). More...

PA NSW scraps restrictive rules on vessel arrivals
Port Authority of New South Wales has scrapped its restrictions on vessels arriving from Iran, Italy, China or South Korea. The easing of restrictions was effective as of Friday 26 June 2020 (29 June 2020). More...

TWU enlists NRFA over ACCC cartel warning
The Transport Workers' Union's (TWU's) butting heads with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is showing few signs of being resolved amicably (10 July 2020). More...

Published – articles, papers, reports

Australasian Railway Association (ARA): Briefing note
Rail supply chain research project (02 July 2020). More...

AIS Newsletter 09 July 2020
Industry intelligence, data analytics and research are more important than ever. Real-time evidence supports the tools to help decision-makers, businesses and employees to focus on the skills needed now, and as businesses and the economy recover from COVID-19. More...

On The Road - Issue 90, 9 July 2020
NHVR Newsletter 202 - On the Road is our fortnightly 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...

Austroads Strategic Plan 2020-2024
AP-C29-20: 30 June 2020
Austroads has released its 2020-2024 Strategic Plan which refocuses the organisation to help solve problems for transport agencies in Australia and New Zealand. Austroads purpose is to provide high-quality, practical and impartial advice. More...

Practice and Regulation

NTC: HVNL 2.0 - A better law scenario
To support the release of the consultation RIS, we've developed a complementary short-form document to outline one potential scenario for the future HVN (29 June 2020). More...

NTC: Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (Edition 7.7)
The Code can be used from 1 October 2020 and is compulsory from 1 October 2021. Until then, either the Code edition 7.6or the Code edition 7.7can be used. The Code is an important technical resource to help Australia's transport and logistics industry to operate safely when carrying dangerous goods. See also ADGC explanatory document: Key changes between edition 7.6 and 7.7 (29 June 2020). More...

HVNL review consultation regulation impact statement
Publication date 25 Jun 2020 Comments due 25 Oct 2020
The consultation regulation impact statement includes over 40 reform options to improve the HVNL. More...

NHVR: Vehicle Safety and Environmental Technology Update Plan (SETUP)
The Plan outlines five work packages to give Australia's heavy vehicle industry certainty when installing new safety technology. To view the Vehicle SETUP uptake plan go to Vehicle Safety and Environmental Technology Uptake Plan (30 June 2020).

IFCBAA Interim Joint Board of Directors Announced
The Boards of the Australian Federation of International Forwarders and Customs Brokers and Forwarders Council of Australia have reached agreement to form a single peak body and to change their current business names to the International Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association of Australia (IFCBAA) Ltd, effective 1 July 2020. Should you have any enquires please do not hesitate to contact CBFCA here.

SAL: Covid-19: Shipping requirements, restrictions, rules and policies at Australian ports
On this page you will find Federal and State Restrictions in regards to Covid-19. You will also find a link to policies from international bodies such as the International Maritime Organization (03 July 2020). More...

SAL: ABF releases informative FAQ on borders, quarantine and crew visas
The Australian Border Force has issued an extensive set of Frequently Asked Questions about general border restrictions, quarantine periods, maritime crew visas, other visas, and personal protective equipment. Remember to read the appropriate State / Territory rules after you have read the Federal rules! You can access the key rules on the website (03 July 2020). More...

AMSA Marine Notice 04/2020: Maximum period of shipboard service for seafarers during COVID-19 pandemic
This marine notice provides information to vessel owners, operators and seafarers about AMSA's approach to applying the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) requirements for the maximum continuous period that a seafarer can serve on board a vessel without taking leave during the period of disruption that has been caused by COVID-19. More...

AMSA: 03/2020—Shutdown of AMSA's differential global positioning system (DGPS) service
This marine notice informs vessel owners, operators and masters of the shutdown of AMSA's radio beacon differential global positioning system service from 1 July 2020. More...

If you are currently operating under an exemption that expires on the 30 June 2020, it has now been automatically extended for 5 years, until 30 June 2025
This Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety Alert is to advise vessel owners, operators, masters, coxswains and crews that the AMSA has taken steps to extend the duration of all National Law certificates of competency. AMSA has issued an exemption that extends all National Law certificates of competency and all associated endorsements, expiring between 26 March and 1 October 2020, for six months from the expiry date noted on the certificate. More...

HVNL Review
The Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) Review consultation RIS was published. The RIS sets out a suite of options for the future law and analyses the impacts they might have. NatRoad with its members, needs to consider the reform options and advise the NTC what the preferred reforms are. The RIS is available here (25 June 2020). More...

NTC Issues Paper - Examining the legal framework for the land transport of dangerous goods
Have your say Publication date 04 June 2020 Comments due 03 July 2020. 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

Legislation

Commonwealth

Act Compilation

Export Control Act 2020
03/07/2020 - Act No. 12 of 2020 as amended

Regulations

Customs (Prohibited Exports) Amendment (Phorate) Regulations 2020
10/07/2020 - This instrument amends the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958 to add phorate to the list of chemicals the exportation of which is prohibited unless permission is granted under regulation 4A.

Customs (Prohibited Imports) Amendment (Vaporiser Nicotine) Repeal Regulations 2020
30/06/2020 - This instrument repeals the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Amendment (Vaporiser Nicotine) Regulations 2020.

NSW

Regulations and other miscellaneous instruments
Biosecurity Order (Permitted Activities) Amendment Order 2020 (2020-379) — published LW 3 July 2020

Queensland

Transport Legislation (COVID-19 Emergency Response) Regulation (No 2) 2020 (Qld) This Regulation is made under the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020, Rail Safety National Law (Queensland) Act 2017, Transport Infrastructure Act 1994, Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994. The policy objectives of the Regulation are to provide financial relief to commercial operators in state-managed boat harbours and provide a framework that will enable exemptions from requirements about certain marine authorities. The Regulation will also extend the expiry of a transitional regulation that preserves certain Queensland-specific definitions under national rail safety legislation.

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.