Two steps back
Australian Trucking Association (ATA) chair David Smith encapsulated the sense of deep frustration and disappointment the industry feels on the path that governments and the relevant federal entity have taken the National Heavy Vehicle Law (HVNL) reform process.
“It was all for nothing,” Smith said of the three years of consultation, analysis and advice.
“Over that time, the ATA had given the National Transport Commission [NTC], which has carriage of the reform, had received 11 detailed policy submissions, each involving a review of best practice and consultation with its members.
“We spent tens of thousands of dollars on consultants.
“In some cases, we provided the NTC with draft legislation that could have been introduced into parliament immediately.”
While that might have sounded almost wistful, it hid much stronger feelings around the new direction.
It marks a dramatic change to the industry’s view from just six months ago that broke out into the public domain last month.
Back in June, the ATA had lauded the rejection of proposed business licences and the national operation standards.
That was part of the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers’ Meeting (ITMM) communiqué in late May, which gave little inkling of anything amiss.
“Ministers received an update on the HVNL review and thanked industry for their constructive engagement with the review to date,” the communiqué said of the process that began in November 2018.
“The perspectives of industry have played an important role in shaping the forward program of work that was agreed by Ministers.
“This program of work will be significantly
