In the media

Extend Chain Of Responsibility law coverage: Clark
COR legislation cannot be watered down if it is to be effective, NatRoad CEO says. The problem is that it doesn't cover everyone," he says – citing freight forwarders and livestock transport operators as among his concerns (26 July 2018). More...

Toll wins fatigue monitoring expansion in FWC
Transport Workers Union (TWU) eye damage fears fail to overcome safety and management stance, after Toll wins Fair Work Commission (FWC) approval to expand the use of driver-focused safety technology to other group operations (26 July 2018). More...

Government asks stakeholders to weigh in on heavy vehicle road user charges
Reforms to the way heavy vehicle charges are set are on the agenda for state and federal governments as they look to improve efficiency and productivity (25 July 2018). More...

ALC: IA's Infrastructure Decision-making Principles will build confidence
The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) has enthusiastically welcomed the Infrastructure Decision-making Principles released by Infrastructure Australia (IA) as a vital contribution to enhancing transparency and accountability in decision-making around major infrastructure projects (24 July 2018). More...

Victoria pledges oversize vehicle crackdown
Victoria has pledged to crack down on oversized and overweight vehicles after a company was fined one of the heaviest penalties handed down in recent years. A company was fined $90,000 after allowing a truck to go out 15 tonnes overweight (23 July 2018). More...

TCA consults Hannifey for rest stop advice
Transport Certification Australia (TCA) plans to map of all heavy vehicle rest areas available to telematics developers. The TCA will also work to translate rest area information published by Australia's road and transport agencies into a standardised, open that all technology providers can use (23 July 2018). More...

ALC: Establishment of Freight Victoria a pivotal moment for industry
The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) says the establishment of Freight Victoria as a one-stop-shop for Victoria's freight industry is a significant step forward in delivering the policy and regulatory outcomes that the freight logistics industry needs (20 July 2018). More...

Investigation powers boost under consideration
Authorised officers will have greater powers to investigate possible breaches of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) under amendments currently being considered by the Queensland parliament. Authorities will be able to inspect vehicles to seek information relevant to safety duty offences (20 July 2018). More...

Pacific National and Aurizon come under ACCC fire of monopoly allegations
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has taken action against freighting companies Pacific National and Aurizon for allegedly breaching competition rules (19 July 2018). More... More...

Dearth of trucking understanding plagues fatigue effort
According to National Transport Commission (NTC) chief executive Paul Retter not enough evidence exists about the cause and impact of fatigue to determine the changes needed in fatigue policy (19 July 2018). More...

The hidden cost in trade: empty container management
The commercial practices of shipping lines and the performance of some empty container parks (ECP) in Sydney are causing significant cost increases in empty container management, according to transport advocacy group Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA) (17 July 2018). More...

Published – articles, papers, reports

Infrastructure Decision-making Principles
Infrastructure Australia (IA): 24 July 2018
Offers all governments a way to meaningfully engage with the community about long-term infrastructure plans, and make sure infrastructure investment is targeted towards those projects that address long-term challenges and deliver the greatest possible economic dividend. More...

Victorian Freight Plan: Delivering The Goods
State Government of Victoria: 20 July 2018
The Plan will drive a coordinated approach to delivering the planning, infrastructure and measurement outcomes the industry needs to enhance supply chain efficiency and safety for Victoria's rapidly growing population. More...

Connectivity, Cooperation and Communities Key Themes To Emerge From Parkes
The Inland Rail Conference 2018 jointly presented by the Australian Logistics Council (ALC) and the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) in Parkes, NSW on 18-19 July 2018 has identified the challenges and opportunities presented by this nation-building project (23 July 2018). More...

On the Road, Issue 39, 16 July 2018
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

AMSA: Mandatory float-free EPIRBs
From 1 January 2021 it will be mandatory for the following domestic commercial vessels to carry a float-free EPIRB:

  • all fishing, passenger, and non-passenger domestic commercial vessels ( Class 1, 2, and 3) that are:
    • equal to or greater than 12 metres in length and operate beyond 2 nautical miles seaward from land
    • less than 12 metres in length operating in restricted offshore and offshore waters ( B or C waters) and do not have level flotation, and
  • all hire and drive vessels operating in restricted offshore waters ( Class 4C) equal to or greater than 12 metres in length, or less than 12 metres and do not have level flotation. More...

AMSA Updates
Read AMSA update July 2018 edition 2.

Australian Logistic Council Submissions
Safety Assurance for Automated Driving Systems (9 July 2018)

NHVR consultation on draft master code
The draft master code addresses the management of speed, fatigue, mass, dimension and loading, and vehicle standards, particularly as it relates to the new Chain of Responsibility amendments commencing on October 1. Feedback on the draft Master Industry Code of Practice was open until July 31. To view the draft code and obtain more information click here. More...

NHVR: Changes to Chain of Responsibility laws confirmed for October 1
Reforms to the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) laws will be implemented from 1 October. Duty holders who assess their risks and manage them will be complying with both the HVNL and workplace safety law. The NHVR has information available including CoR Gap Assessment tools, role-specific fact sheets, Safety Management System templates and tools, and videos and podcasts. More... More...

NTC Submissions
Australian Light Vehicle Standards Rules 2018 - Consultation draft (June 2018)
Comments due 1 August 2018

Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation - Consultation draft (June 2018)
Comments due 1 August 2018

Legislation

Commonwealth

Heavy Vehicle National Law - Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Amendment Notice 2018 (No.3)
Gazette 26/07/2018 - 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

New South Wales

Regulations and other miscellaneous instruments
Rail Safety (Adoption of National Law) Regulation 2018 (2018-396) — published LW 27 July 2018

Queensland

Transport Infrastructure (Dangerous Goods by Rail) Regulation 2018 27/07/2018 105 2018

Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Regulation 2018 27/07/2018 106 2018

Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Dangerous Goods) Regulation 2018 27/07/2018 107 2018

Victoria

Bills
Owner Drivers and Forestry Contractors Amendment Bill 2018

Statutory Rules made

Rail Safety (Local Operations) (Accreditation and Safety) Regulations 2018
Date of Making: 17/07/2018 Commencement: 20/07/2018: reg. 3 Not yet in operation: Regs 1-52: on 20/07/2018: reg. 3 Sunset Date: 20/07/2019: reg. 52

Transport (Safety Schemes Compliance and Enforcement) (Infringements) Amendment Regulations 2018
Date of Making: 17/07/2018 Commencement: 20/07/2018: reg. 3 Not yet in operation: Regs 1-4: on 20/07/2018: reg. 3 Sunset Date: 17/07/2028

Environment Protection (Ships' Ballast Water) Revocation Regulations 2018
Date of Making: 24/07/2018 Commencement: 24/07/2018 Not yet in operation: N/A Sunset Date: 24/07/2028
The purpose of the regulation is to revoke the Environment Protection (Ships' Ballast Water) Regulations 2017

Victorian legislation is available here.

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.