Transport moves ahead
with new regulators

Reforms designed to cut red tape for Australia’s transport industry have come into effect.
   The changes, which came into effect last week, aim to reduce the regulations placed on transport operators in an effort to free up the movement on interstate trade and boost national income by $30 billion over the next two decades.
   As such, the new National Heavy Vehicle Regulator located in Brisbane and the new Adelaide-based National Rail Safety Regulator were now open for business.
Interstate trade to be freed up
   The third national regulator, the existing Australian Maritime Safety Authority, is expected to assume its greater regulatory responsibilities for all commercial vessels operating in Australia’s waters in March.
   The aim is for those bodies to have completely replaced the existing 23 separate State and Federal regulators covering heavy vehicles, rail safety and maritime safety by the end of the year.
   The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator will then have responsibility for the registration and regulations covering all heavy vehicles over 4.5 tonnes.
   It is still awaiting the passing of enabling legislation by all State and Territory Governments before it can become fully operational, a process expected to be completed by July.
   The National Rail Safety Regulator has initially been given regulatory responsibility for railways in South Australia, NSW, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, which will extend to those in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia before the end of the year.
   In addition to its roles, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has become the national rail accident investigator.
Edition 346, 29 January 2013
Have Your Say On This Story!comment
print
pdf
Email a friend

Click to visit the PSshop
Next