National Heavy Vehicle Regulator says national COR regime will take a lot of work.
A fully-functioning national chain of responsibility (COR) investigation framework could be in place within two years.
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is pushing for consistent cross-border investigative standards backed up with highly-trained and well-resourced investigators.
The agency’s man responsible for COR, Michael Crellin, delivered an address at this year’s Chain of Responsibility and Heavy Vehicle Safety Conference to detail his plans for COR.
“The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator at the moment is trying to develop a truly national COR investigative capability,” Crellin says.
“I’m kind of estimating probably 18 months to two years, but that is not to say that we won’t have that capability before then. It’s probably at the level that we really want it to be at about that time.”
Crellin’s plan involves getting Australia’s multiple jurisdictions to commit to a national system, but it will not be an easy task.
“There is a lot of work that needs to be done. There are a lot of jurisdictions that need to be taken for that ride because we do have a disparate commitment across the nation,” he says.
“In addition to that we have the challenge of making sure that our investigators do have the capability that we’re interested in.
“That may require a lot more training, a lot more education and a lot more involvement in regards to making sure we’re not only attracting the right people but we’re giving them the information, the tools and the skills to do what it is that needs to be done.”
Crellin says the NHVR is also planning to release COR guidance material next year for trucking operators and other parties in the supply chain to inform them about their obligations under the law.
That will likely coincide with planned changes to COR, namely the introduction of primary duty of care provisions. Transport ministers are due to consider legislative amendments next year.
Crellin was one of a number of officials to speak at the 10th Chain of Responsibility and Heavy Vehicle Safety Conference, which included presentations from the Roads and Maritime Services, industry group Road Freight New South Wales, Victoria Police, Toll and the National Transport Commission (NTC).
Photography: Brad Gardner