Unnecessary state-based complications seen hindering freight efficiency
Early responses to the federal Productivity Commission (PC) releases its National Transport Regulatory Reform inquiry report are broadly supportive, with particular aspects picked out.
The Australian Logistics Council (ALC), which has long backed regulatory unity as crucial to efficiency, zeros in on this aspect.
“ALC endorses the call for harmonisation of state and territory differences to deliver consistent national heavy vehicle and rail safety rules.” ALC CEO Kirk Coningham says.
“ALC has always believed in one rule book for one country allowing road and rail operators to develop consistent national safety systems.
“This will improve efficiency and consistently and so lead to enhanced safety outcomes.”
Coningham also applauds the recognition of the importance of data in improving productivity and safety.
“ALC members have long understood that data is the oil for the 21st century,” he says.
“We championed the mandatory use in heavy vehicles of equipment that records key data to improve safety, access, infrastructure investment and operational efficiency.
“The more real-time information that regulators and operators have, the better the decisions made.”
ALC also commends the PC’s recognition of the importance of the National Freight Data Hub.
“Development of the National Freight Data Hub is one of the most important developments flowing from the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy,” Coningham says.
“The new hub will be an essential tool for government in refining policy and infrastructure decisions and priorities and for industry in operational and compliance planning. The development of the data hub should be a national priority.”
Read about the Productivity Commission report’s recommendations, here
The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) also backs recommendations to improve national consistency in the Rail Safety National Law (RSNL) and Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) would help drive efficiency improvements.
“Recommendations to remove variation in national safety laws between jurisdictions is a welcome step and will support improved safety and productivity outcomes over time,” ARA Chief CEO Caroline Wilkie says.
“The current state-based variations in the Rail Safety National Law mean operators face unjustifiably different compliance requirements on the issues of drug and alcohol management and fatigue management when crossing the border into Queensland or New South Wales and yet the risks being managed do not change.
“The Productivity Commission’s recommendation for a nationally‑consistent risk‑based approach to fatigue management is good news for the rail industry, but support from the New South Wales and Queensland governments will be critical if we are to actually achieve change.”
Wilkie warns that any steps to improve transport regulation must take a mode neutral approach.
“While the ARA agrees with many of the commission’s recommendations, we are disappointed by the greater emphasis on road transport over other modes,” she says.
“A truly efficient transport network must take a more equal approach so we can get the best out of every mode of transport.”
The ARA also welcomed the recommendation that regulators should monitor and report on the compliance costs imposed on industry, commencing from 2021.
“It is important to ensure that there is an ongoing effort to deliver cost-effective regulation and minimise the impact on industry, particularly when so many are facing a challenging period of recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic,” it says.
In releasing the report, federal transport minister Michael McCormack is “pleased to hear the reforms have delivered broad safety and productivity gains”.
“This is particularly reassuring in these difficult times, as the ongoing Covid-19 crisis highlights how vital a safe and efficient transport network is to our way of life,” McCormack says.
“I acknowledge this report has been eagerly awaited by industry. We will carefully consider all of the recommendations within the report and undertake vital consultation with regulators, jurisdictions and industry stakeholders to prepare a response.
“The Productivity Commission’s recommendations will help us shape a sensible approach to future regulation to support our hard-working truckies, train drivers, transport companies and our diverse maritime industries to do what they do best while keeping safety as the top priority.”