In the media

Federal Court dismisses ACCC appeal on PN Aurizon case
The Full Court of the Federal Court has delivered its judgment on the ACCC's appeal in relation to proceedings brought to stop Pacific National's acquisition of the Acacia Ridge Terminal in Brisbane by Aurizon.
The ACCC had appealed the 2019 judgment of the Federal Court which held that the acquisition would not be likely to substantially lessen competition due to an undertaking that Pacific National had offered the Court (06 May 2020). More...

Disclosure requirement welcomed but maximum payment term still sought
Businesses with a total annual income of more than $100 million would be required to report on how and when they pay their small business suppliers, following legislation introduced to Parliament. The Payment Times Reporting Bill 2020 will also ask large businesses to detail their use of supply chain financing practices to highlight when used to extend payment times (14 May 2020). More...

ARTC rail relief welcomed by Australian Government
The Australian Government has welcomed measures implemented by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) to provide immediate financial relief to rail freight operators maintaining the supply of essential goods throughout the COVID-19 pandemic (14 May 2020). More...

Funding for Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program nears closure
Local councils and state and territory governments have been encouraged by the Federal Government to apply for funding available under Round 7 of the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (14 May 2020). More...

Cold chain storage and logistics set to make quickest recovery post-pandemic
Warehouses and other industrial properties will likely be the commercial asset class to emerge after the COVID-19 crisis as the most unscathed, according to new research, with cold storage facilities especially set to benefit (14 May 2020). More...

Ships to be worked upon arrival at Gladstone
Vessels that arrive at the Port of Gladstone in Queensland will be allowed to berth on arrival as of 23:59 hours on 15 May. Maritime Safety Queensland advised Shipping Australia that the rules on when ships can approach port at the Port of Gladstone will, at that point, be aligned with the Port of Brisbane and the Port of Townsville (12 May 2020). More...

Toll confirms cyber attack accessed corporate data
Toll has confirmed it was the victim of a cyber attack involving ransomware known as 'Nefilim'.
According to a statement from Toll, this server contains information relating to some past and present Toll employees, and details of commercial agreements with some of our current and former enterprise customers (12 May 2020). More...

Industry group to facilitate generational shift on rail network
The Liberal and Nationals Government will work with Australia's leading rail freight companies to establish an oversight group for the development and implementation of a state-of-the-art train management system (11 May 2020). More...

SA cross border control requires record of close contacts for transport and freight Industry
From 11 May 2020, an essential travellers in the transport and freight category must keep and retain records of close contacts for a 14 day period from the date of their arrival in South Australia (or, if they remain in South Australia for a period of less than 14 days, for that period) (11 May 2020). More...

Second coming for NHVR's Gap assessment tool
A modern online safety assessment tool has been revamped to assist heavy vehicle operators to identify gaps in their safety systems. Queensland Transport and Main Road Minister Mark Bailey said the NHVR's Gap Assessment Tool had been simplified and upgraded to assist operators to examine their current systems against known risks and recognised best practice (07 May 2020). More...

Freeze on heavy vehicle registration increase
Positive news for the transport industry, NatRoad welcomes the Transport and Infrastructure Council's, decision to freeze truck and bus registration charges. The decision was made at a meeting this week with the transport ministers agreeing to freeze heavy vehicle registration charges at their current levels for the year July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 (07 May 2020). More...

Updated Guide to Traffic Management improves pedestrian safety, access and health
Austroads' Guide to Traffic Management has been updated based on learnings from multiple Austroads research projects to reflect current (15 May 2020). More...

Published – articles, papers, reports

NHVR Newsletter (industry updates)
On the Road is our fortnightly newsletter providing important information on the heavy vehicle industry, including the latest NHVR news and events, relevant law and policy changes, and resources to help industry members comply with the HVNL. More...

Practice and Regulation

Applications open for Driver Reviver funding
Owners of Driver Reviver locations across the nation can now apply for a share of $3 million in Australian Government funding to upgrade their life-saving rest sites. The first round is a demand-driven grant round with applications closing 29 May 2020. Further information, including application guidelines and submissions, is available at www.grants.gov.au (15 May 2020). More...

NATROAD: RMS restricted access vehicle network maps - update
The online RAV maps provide information on the enforceable road network restrictions and routes available for use by heavy vehicles in NSW. The maps were last updated on 06/05/2020 and include the following changes to access (07 May 2020). More...

AMSA Reminder: New requirements for vessels carrying passengers
The new changes have been made through Marine order 504 (Certificates of operation and operation requirements – national law) Amendment 2020. From the 31 May 2020, any domestic commercial vessel that carries passengers must meet new requirements for passenger safety. Make sure your safety management system adequately addresses your passengers' safety. More....

NHVR Gap Assessment Tool
The re-launched Gap Assessment Tool included a number of new features, outlined here (07 May 2020).

AMSA: 03/2020 - Shutdown of AMSA's differential global positioning system service
This marine notice informs vessel owners, operators and masters of the shutdown of AMSA's radio beacon differential global positioning system service from 1 July 2020 (05 May 2020). More...

AMSA: 03/2020 - Shutdown of AMSA's differential global positioning system service
This marine notice informs vessel owners, operators and masters of the shutdown of AMSA's radio beacon differential global positioning system service from 1 July 2020 (05 May 2020). More...

Senate: Consultations
 Importance of a viable, safe, sustainable and efficient road transport industry
Status: Submissions closed. Date Referred: 11 September 2019. Next Hearing: 16 March 2020. Reporting Date: 14 October 2020

AIS: Transport and Logistics Industry Reference Committee Projects
The Case for Endorsement will be considered at the Committee's first meeting in 2020.
TLI Chain of Responsibility
TLI Heavy Vehicle Driver Safety
TLI Freight Forwarding

Queensland: Transport and Other Legislation (Road Safety, Technology and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2020
The Bill was referred to the Transport and Public Works Committee for detailed consideration. The committee is required to report to the Parliament by 29 May 2020. The report will be published here. More...

This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.