Today I am pleased to announce the appointment of three key industry leaders to the implementation board of Australia’s first National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. 

In the most historic reforms since Federation, there will now be one national regulator for maritime, rail and heavy vehicles, cutting the number of transport regulators across Australia from 23 to 3.
The Gillard Labor Government’s reforms will support the growth of the transport sector, with flow-on benefits to the nation of $30 billion over the next 20 years.
The board will have representatives from each state and territory as well as three new industry representatives:

• David Simon, Chair, Australian Trucking Association


• Philip Halton, Executive Director, Australian Livestock and Rural Transport Association


• Andrew Ethell, Deputy Chair, Australian Logistics Council.

Working together with government representatives, the inclusion of these leading figures from the road freight sector will add depth to the key decisions around the shape of the national heavy vehicle regulator.
Last week a meeting of Australia’s Transport Ministers saw the involvement of key industry groups as observers for the first time in its history.
The Gillard Government believes in providing greater transparency and engagement and it’s important that key players in the industry are involved in discussions that directly impact on them.
This spirit of co-operation has delivered major milestones including the meeting’s endorsement of new national laws for heavy vehicles.
Having a national regulator means that long haul freight operators will no longer need to meet different laws and rules for log books, driving hours and maximum loads as they cross state borders.
These reforms will see an end to 110 years of duplication and confusion and provide long term benefits for business, workers and the economy.