NatRoad members vote in favour of HVNL

NatRoad members have voted to support the proposed Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) to underpin the establishment of a National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) from January 1, 2013.

The vote took place during the parliamentary session of the 2012 NatRoad conference held recently at the Sanctuary Cove Hyatt Regency hotel on the Gold Coast.

According to NatRoad president Geoff Crouch, the public declaration of support by Australia’s largest road transport operator’s association would help persuade other industry and government stakeholders to support the landmark national reform.

“The need for national heavy vehicle laws is obvious,” Crouch stressed. “Trucks and their cargoes cross state and territory borders many thousands of times every day and unnecessary regulatory inconsistencies are costing drivers, operators and the national economy.

“With a primary bill currently before the Queensland parliament and an amending bill under consideration by transport ministers on August 13 (2012), now is the time for stakeholders to put aside their differences and support these laws which are clearly in the national interest.”

If passed in Queensland, it is expected the laws will be adopted by all other states and territories with benefits of around $12.4 billion in net present value over 20 years. 

“An important element of the NatRoad decision requires that the amending bill be passed in Queensland with at least New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia adopting the consolidated laws before the regulator commences full operational capacity,” Crouch continued, adding that transport ministers should make a specific commitment to adequately resource the Forward Work Program and to ongoing consultation with industry during the transition process.

“Negotiating these laws with a range of industry and government stakeholders has been a long and often difficult process,” he said. “On balance, NatRoad considers the proposed laws will deliver significant benefits for operators in the short term while also establishing a solid platform for further reform.”