NTC boss restates call for single system to avoid unnecessary duplication
National Transport Commission (NTC) chief executive Paul Retter has reiterated his position on the need to rationalise Australian heavy vehicle accreditation.
Retter was responding to last week’s National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) announcement of a detailed and expert probe of the workings of sometimes competing schemes, including its own scheme.
“I welcome the recent announcement by NHVR of an independent review into heavy vehicle accreditation schemes,” he tells ATN.
“As NHVR CEO Sal Petrocitto has noted, the review provides an opportunity to ensure Australia’s current heavy vehicle accreditation scheme arrangements are based on international standards and Australia ‘best practice’ guidelines.
“The review will hopefully result in better roads safety outcomes for all road users.
“Any opportunity to improve current heavy vehicle accreditation scheme governance, oversight mechanisms and assurance activities will be welcomed by both industry and governments.”
Retter made a strong call for the single model three years ago at a time when the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) was under scrutiny.
“In 2014, I noted that many heavy vehicle operators in Australia were enrolled in more than one heavy vehicle accreditation scheme and that this was both a time-consuming and costly exercise,” Retter tells ATN.
“At the time, I suggested there was a need for a move towards a single national accreditation scheme that included all the appropriate core and discretionary modules needed to help manage the safety and sustainability of a diverse range of Australia heavy vehicle operations both – and off-road.
“This remains my view.
“It is my hope that the review will have an opportunity to examine and report on how be3st to harmonise existing heavy vehicle accreditation scheme requirements/obligations across all existing heavy vehicle accreditation schemes.
“In doing so, the review may deliver better safety outcomes as well as reducing the complexity, time and costs incurred by may heavy vehicle operators who are trying to do the right thing.”