During the Australian Trucking Convention held in Canberra last week, Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister Anthony Albanese called on the industry to back national truck laws, urging the Australian Government and the trucking industry to work together to remind the states of the importance of the planned national truck laws.
“I probably don’t need to remind any of you here today about the multitude of transport safety laws in Australia. They differ with each state and territory – and just to improve matters – the Commonwealth has some too,” he said.
“Just a couple of examples – fatigue rules vary greatly, depending which state you’re driving through on any given day. And on some roads, B-doubles are fine, but drive across the border on the same road and you’re breaking the law.
“The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics estimates that transport regulatory reform will deliver up to $30 billion in economic benefit and productivity over the next 20 years. “That is why we are working towards the introduction in 2013 of single national safety regulators – three in total – one for heavy vehicles, one for rail safety and one for maritime safety.
“I note that Richard Hancock, the head of the NHVR Project Office who addressed you earlier this afternoon, has described this reform as a victory for common sense.
“A single regulator for heavy vehicles that has taken only 110 years to achieve!
“Ministers will vote on the new national laws in November and the Bill will be introduced into the Queensland Parliament by the end of the year, providing the model for the other states to follow.
He concluded, “I call on all of you here today to help back in this important reform. We cannot allow state governments to delay – together we need to remind them why businesses and truck drivers deserve reform.”