Australia’s first national heavy vehicle regulator, NHVR, opened for business today, initially managing NHVAS accreditation and PBS design and vehicle approvals.
Later in 2013, once the Heavy Vehicle National Law is in place in the majority of states and territories, it will evolve into a one-stop-shop for heavy vehicle road transport business with government.
Until then, Australia’s heavy vehicle operators will continue to do all remaining business with state and territory road transport authorities.
The NHVR’s new website also launched today, with a whole new look, much more information about services and the ability to pay upfront online.
The national call centre, which has been up and running for some time at 1300 MYNHVR (1300 696 487), is already taking calls and providing the information operators need about its services.
“A new era:” NTC
The Australian heavy vehicle industry entered a new era with the launch of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, said the National Transport Commission (NTC).
NTC chief executive, Nick Dimopoulos said the NTC is proud of its contribution to the successful establishment of the regulator.
“For the first time in over 100 years of federation, Australia has agreed on a single set of national laws for heavy vehicles. This is an important reform which is estimated to save the Australian heavy vehicle industry over $12 billion over the next 20 years, as well as increasing safety,” said Mr Dimopoulos.
“The, NTC in consultation with governments, industry, unions and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Project Office have worked hard and to tight timelines to consolidate all of the existing laws into a single national law. We thank all of our reform partners for their ongoing support with this project.”
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator will evolve into a one-stop-shop for heavy vehicle road transport business with government across Australia, later in 2013, when it will administer one set of national laws for heavy vehicles under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.
“The NTC will continue its role in undertaking regulatory policy development and supporting the regulator in the establishment and ongoing operation of the national law,” said Mr Dimopoulos.
“Potential to save $7b:” ATA
The chairman of the Australian Trucking Association, David Simon, said the national regulator had the potential to deliver $12 billion in economic gains for all Australians, as well as boosting road safety.
“The price of everything we buy, whether it’s milk, a computer or framing for a house includes the cost of transporting it at least some of the way by truck. Those costs are higher than they should be, because the trucking industry is subject to a maze of inconsistent government regulation,” Mr Simon said.
“The NHVR will cut a straight path through the maze. Most notably, it will help local governments make better decisions about the trucks that can use their roads, which has the potential to reduce transport costs and save the economy $7 billion.
“On the safety front, the NHVR will be able to enforce the chain of responsibility laws consistently across state borders. The industry’s customers will increasingly get the message that they cannot make demands or insist on contracts that would require truck drivers to speed or work while fatigued.”
Mr Simon said the next step was for the Queensland Parliament to pass legislation to refine the national truck laws so they are ready to come into full effect.
“The chief executive officer of the Queensland Trucking Association, Peter Garske, and I gave evidence about the legislation to a Queensland Parliamentary committee this morning.
“We strongly supported the legislation and urged the Queensland Parliament to pass it as soon as possible. It’s also vital that the other states intending to join the national scheme get their enabling legislation underway,” he said.
“Meanwhile, the NHVR needs to push forward on its forward work program. It covers issues of great importance to the industry, including increasing productivity further, recasting the chain of responsibility provisions to make them fairer and more effective, and recognising robust industry safety schemes like TruckSafe,” Mr Simon said.
