The Australian Trucking Association‘s Safety Committee and Transport & Economics Committee has met to discuss the ATA‘s response to the first issues paper of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) review.

The issues paper, ‘A risk-based approach to regulating heavy vehicles‘, seeks views on ways to make the law outcome-focused and less prescriptive, while ensuring safety and promoting productivity.

“We must not underestimate the impact this review and the legislation that follows will have on our industry for decades to come,” ATA CEO Ben Maguire said.

“Today‘s meeting saw committee members work closely together on developing our submission. Members discussed how the structure of the HVNL could be radically changed to make the law more responsive, so it can deal with evolving technology and the diverse nature of our industry.”

There were valuable contributions from Steve Shearer (SA Road Transport Association), Gary Mahon (Queensland Trucking Association), Greg Cain (Victorian Transport Association), Louise Bilato (NT Road Transport Association), and Adam Gibson (National Transport Insurance), as well as Simon Skazlic (K&S Freighters), Dr Sarah Jones (Toll), Cam Dumesny (Western Roads Federation), Dean Jenkins and Andrew McKenzie (MaxiTRANS), and Scott Davidson (NatRoad).

“Members agreed on the need to retain the primary duties in Chapter 1A of the HVNL, and its current approach to executive officer liability,” Maguire said.

ATA chair Geoff Crouch said the committees also agreed to hold co-design workshops to distil a collective position on fatigue management and road access.

“The meeting is a prime example of how our members are working together in the best interests of the industry and collaborating to deliver positive outcomes. I thank them all for their contribution and expertise,” he said.