Goodaye all. For years in Australia we have looked at your roads and the respect you mostly get from the public along with the ability to have a decent size sleeper, with some admiration. But it would seem we may be able to take a leap ahead of you with one National Regulator for trucking in Australia. Up till now we have had one for each state and then of course had to deal with the Police Force in each state, then the Dangerous Goods Codes (which are now national but were state controlled) and then Workcover, our health and safety government departments which are currently state based, but due to go national soon. It has been less than perfect.
To be fair we have far fewer states than you and I would imagine many of you would dream of one set of rules instead of 52, but we have been asking for one set of rules for years and this is the biggest and most likely chance we may ever get. A line on a map does not make any difference to the truck or the load, but it makes a big difference to the driver in being able to comply with all the rules laid down by those who do not have to live by them.
It has been estimated that one set of rules for trucking (and this is to be done for shipping and railways as well) will save billions in costs to transport and therefore to our customers. This will reduce costs for those who live outside our capital cities and improve productivity. It is due to start in 2013, a big ask and there were over 300 differences in the current regs, some minor, some major, but the most important issue is, will we get just another level of government intervention that will increase costs, red tape and penalties, or will we actually get some common sense and have one set of rules for all?
We all ready have the west with more flexible vehicle size and hours regimes that they believe work well and due to the large distances, are safe and suitable for the task and they do not want to come backwards to the eastern states laws. Nothing is guaranteed and there is a long way to go, but just maybe, you could follow us for once. I will try and keep you updated. Safe Travelling, Rod Hannifey.
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