Joint Media Statement
Darren Chester, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and Sal Petroccitto, CEO National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
- Funding to support a safer heavy vehicle industry
- New Codes of Practice to provide guidance on higher safety standards
- The six existing industry codes, which vary between industry sectors and states, will continue until January 2018 or until replaced
The Federal Government is supporting the NHVR in providing a funding boost for heavy vehicle industry bodies or individuals that develop safety systems based on new Industry Codes of Practice Guidelines.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said $350,000 would assist the heavy vehicle industry to develop and register its new Codes of Practice, based on Guidelines released by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) today.
"A registered Industry Code of Practice establishes standards for organisations across the heavy vehicle supply chain on how to operate at a higher safety standard. Businesses that adopt a new Code not only significantly reduce the risk of breaching the Heavy Vehicle National Law, but also improve their safety standards," Mr Chester said.
"This is another important step in the NHVR’s Safety Strategy, which includes new Chain of Responsibility Laws, a national roadworthiness program, National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual and checklists."
The six existing industry codes, which vary between industry sectors and states, will continue to be used until January 2018 or until replaced by a new code. NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the new Guidelines were finalised following extensive collaboration with industry.
"The support from the Federal Government will allow industry bodies and code developers to offset some of the costs associated with delivering new Codes," Mr Petroccitto said.
Australian Logistics Council Managing Director, Michael Kilgariff welcomed the funding for industry bodies that will require assistance in funding their Codes of Practice.
"Codes of Practice will provide a safer and more accountable heavy vehicle industry and we look forward to their development and implementation,"Mr Kilgariff said.
The grants are available to cover cost of development and registration of an Industry Codes of Practice. For more information visit www.nhvr.gov.au/codes-of-practice