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National heavy vehicle regulator ‘a long time coming’

Queensland and NSW transport ministers throw their support behind the creation of a single heavy vehicle regulator

By Brad Gardner | May 31, 2011

Legislation to create the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) will be introduced this year, as Queensland and NSW transport ministers throw their support behind the microeconomic reform.

Following the Australian Transport Council’s decision to support an intergovernmental agreement creating the regulator in mid-2012, Queensland Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk told Parliament the reform will improve safety and productivity in the trucking industry.

The regulator will be based in Queensland with offices throughout Australia, and Palaszczuk says legislation establishing it will be introduced later this year.

“Almost 75 percent of freight in Australia is carried by trucks, including every item we see on the supermarket shelves. Trucks do not know borders. Even little differences in rules and red tape can add big costs to doing business,” she says.

“Queensland will be home to the new CEO and regulator’s office that will boost productivity and improve safety in this critical industry.”

NSW Roads and Ports Minister Duncan Gay says NSW will no longer be a “roadblock” when the NHVR is introduced to administer rules and regulations including fatigue management, access conditions, mass limits and registration.

“This national heavy vehicle regulator has been a long time coming,” Gay says.

“These reforms are aimed at improving safety for our communities, reducing costs and regulatory burdens for Australian transport companies, and reducing the costs of export and trade.”

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