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ATA praises govt decision on HVNL reform

Peak trucking body says over 131,000 businesses will be saved from more red tape

The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has welcomed the government’s recent decision on business licencing and mandatory national operator standards.

The decision comes following the transport ministers’ meeting last week on how to complete the review of the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

Under planned changes to the national truck laws, trucking businesses will not need to hold a special business licence or meet a mandatory national operator standard, the ATA notes.

The move is expected to help save 131,580 businesses from more red tape.

The meeting also saw miniters agree to a pathway to reforms on how heavy vehicle charges are set and invested and the law that governs its operations.

“The ATA argued strongly against trucking business licencing or proposals for a national operator standard,” ATA CEO Andrew McKellar says.

“An independent report we commissioned with NatRoad showed that trucking business licensing could involve licensing 131,580 businesses at a total cost of $3.2 billion over ten years.

“And yet the National Transport Commission was unable to identify any clear safety benefits from the option.

“We are very pleased that transport ministers have listened to the views of the ATA and our members.

“We are looking forward to working with governments to complete the review and deliver a new version of the law that will increase safety and productivity.”

The official communique from the meeting says final legislation will be presented to ministers in mid-2023.

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