In the media

Logistics growth losing steam
Key logistics market growth rates fell in 2018 according to Transport Intelligence's (Ti) global market size & growth forecast data. The Global Freight Forwarding market grew 3.9% in 2018, a marked decline from an expansion of 8.0% in 2017 (03 May 2019). More...

Liquid fuel security vital for industry: NatRoad
Ensuring that Australia has an adequate, appropriately costed and reliable supply of diesel fuel must be a Government priority, according to the National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) (02 May 2019). More...

Vic owner-driver law upheaval wins industry support
The universal support from industry bodies to the proposed Owner Drivers and Forestry Contractors (ODFC) Act amendments in Victoria suggests the model may be one to emulate nationwide (02 May 2019). More...

Victorian owner-driver pay laws set for change
Safe rates supporters have had a win in Victoria, with the State Government introducing an amendment to the Owner Drivers and Forestry Contractors (ODFC) Act, warning hirers and brokers that fines of up to $4,000 would apply for non-compliance (01 May 2019). More...

Geotechnical investigation and design guidance updated
Austroads has released an updated edition of Guide to Road Design Part 2: Design Considerations with a new extensive section on geotechnical investigation and design, including new sections on safety during investigations and observational method (01 May 2019). More...

More truck rest areas needed: ATA
More rest areas and improved facilities are urgently needed on Australia's roads, the Australian Trucking Association said (01 May 2019). More...

Owner drivers to benefit from legislation change
The Victorian Government claims to be making work safer and fairer for owner drivers and forestry contractors, including drivers using digital freight and delivery platforms (30 April 2019). More...

Permit requirements slashed by new agricultural vehicle notice
A new agricultural vehicle and combination notice is operational across large parts of regional Australia, with almost two-thirds of local government areas agreeing to its implementation, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) reports (30 April 2019). More...

Call for operators using fatigue monitoring tech: NHVR
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator will meet heavy vehicle operators as part of a ground-breaking study into fatigue monitoring technology (29 April 2019). More...

NHVR seeks operator feedback on fatigue tech
The next phase of ongoing research into fatigue-monitoring technology has seen the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) call out for heavy vehicle operators that have used such devices to contribute their experiences and insight into the technology (29 April 2019). More...
Note: EOIs are due by May 21.

NHVR streamlines advanced fatigue management process
The first Advanced Fatigue Management application kit is easier to access for operators looking for flexibility in their work and rest hours, according to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (25 April 2019). More...

Highlights federal election priorities
 The ALC has released its priorities for Australia's freight logistics industry ahead of the federal election. Freight: Delivering Opportunity For Australia, identifies 39 priority actions for the incoming Federal Government to pursue that address challenges and opportunities relevant to all modes of freight transport (23 April 2019). More...

WorkSafe SA in crash probe clarification after TWU calls
South Australian workplace regulator WorkSafe SA has clarified the process involved in investigating road incidents following Transport Workers Union (TWU) calls to treat fatal truck crashes as workplace deaths (24 April 2019). More...

Ongoing enforcement fosters compliance: Victoria Police
Victoria Police says fostering compliance involves ongoing enforcement, after a recent blitz on the state's western coastline resulted in a tick of approval for heavy vehicle operators – an assessment not always accorded to industry (24 April 2019). More...

TCA releases interoperability fatigue management protocol
Transport Certification Australia (TCA) announced it has established, for the first time, a standardised interoperability protocol for fatigue management devices (23 April 2019). More...

Published – articles, papers, reports

Shifting gears – Preparing for a transport revolution
Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering: 29 April 2019
With Australia's long distances between large urban centres, the transport sector will be one area that is both significantly disrupted and revolutionised by technological transformation. This report identifies sustainability and climate change, productivity and health as the three key challenges. More...

Freight: Delivering opportunity for Australia
 ALC: Released 24 April 2019
Sets out areas for an incoming Federal Government to pursue that address challenges and opportunities relevant to all modes of freight transport. More...

Filling legislative gaps in automated vehicles
Michelle Avary, Hidenori Yoshida; World Economic Forum: 26 April 2019
This paper provides an overview of recent legislative trends to legalise automated vehicles (AV) operations, and explores possible challenges the community pursuing AV deployment will have to address, particularly by focusing on the non-technological aspects. More...

NTC On the Road - Issue 58, 30 April 2019
On the Road provides 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...

In practice and courts

NHVR: Call for operators using fatigue monitoring technology
The research team will ask operators to provide access to data, discussions with staff and drivers using the technology. Expressions of interest are due by May 21. For more information see Fatigue monitoring trial. (29 April 2019). More...

TCA: Telematics Device to Drowsiness Device Communications Protocol
The protocol forms part of the National Telematics Framework, and has been designed to provide interoperability for the use of telematics and fatigue management devices across all users and industry sectors, TCA notes. The full document can be found here. (23 April 2019)

NHVR National Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle and Combination Notice
The NHVR accompanying operator's guide outlines the key information required before moving heavy agricultural equipment. If you need a permit, applications will now be processed through the NHVR Portal. The operator's guide and access maps can be viewed here.

NTC discussion paper - Refining the definition of rail safety work
 Issued on 16 April 2019 with comments due 14 June 2019. More...

NTC issues paper - Risk-based approach to regulating heavy vehicles
 Issued on 29 Mar 2019 with comments due 31 May 2019. More...

NTC issues paper: Regulatory style and structure of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL)
 The released issues paper seeks views on ways to make the law outcome focused and less prescriptive while ensuring safety and promoting productivity. This foundation paper is the first of eight issues papers in a rolling consultation to mid-2019. For more information about our upcoming consultation, see the HVNL Review microsite. Comments due 31 May 2019

AFIF: Biosecurity Levy update - Revised start date 1 September 2019
The Government has announced a delay with a new start date of 1 September 2019 and a consequent small loss of revenue associated with a later start date. More...

NHVR: Fatigue monitoring trial
The NHVR is undertaking a trial of fatigue safety related technologies to gain a greater understanding of how they work and are used. The trial is being conducted in five phases between January 2019 and June 2020. The purpose of the trial is to determine how best to encourage industry uptake of technology that monitors drivers and detects fatigue and/or distraction. More...

CASA: Modernising Australia's fatigue rules
CASA is implementing our response to the independent review of the fatigue rules and are now consulting with industry on the proposed CAO 48.1 Instrument 2019 – Modernising Australia's Fatigue Rules. There will be a staged transition to the new rules: High capacity regular public transport operators (having a maximum seating capacity exceeding 38 seats or a maximum payload exceeding 4200kg (see subsection 2 of CAO 82.0) are required to transition to the new fatigue rules by 30 September 2019.

AFIF National Conference 2019
 We welcome you to join the AFIF 2019 National Conference and Gala Dinner, at Hyatt Place Melbourne, Essendon Fields VIC from May 23 - 24, 2019. Registrations are now open. Full Program details can be found here.

Legislation

Commonwealth

Gazette Notices

Heavy Vehicle National Law - National Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle and Combination Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2019 (No.1)
30/04/2019 - This notice exempts eligible agricultural vehicles and combinations from certain mass and dimension requirements of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL Regulation), and other certain requirements of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation (VS Regulation), and places conditions on their operation in designated Agricultural Heavy Vehicle Zones. Commences 01 May 2019.

Heavy Vehicle National Law - Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps - Amendment Notice 2019 (No.6)
26/04/2019 - The purpose of this Notice is to amend stated maps for vehicles at the request of road managers.
The amendments take effect 28 days after publication of Amendment Notice 2019 (No.2). This Notice may be cited as the Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Amendment Notice 2019 (No.6). This Notice applies in all participating jurisdictions.

Queensland

Queensland Parliament

Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Bill 2019
Transport and Public Works Committee – submissions open until 23 April 2019. Report due 23 May 2019.

Victoria

Bills

Owner Drivers and Forestry Contractors Amendment Bill 2019
Date of second reading speech: 1 May 2019
To "make work safer and fairer for owner drivers and forestry contractors, including drivers using digital freight and delivery platforms"

Acts

Labour Hire Licensing Act No 25 of 2018
Version 2 – 29 April 2019

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.