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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 4 Hansard (25 June) . . Page.. 1190 ..

DANGEROUS GOODS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1998

National legislation to regulate the road transport of dangerous goods has now been developed, with the involvement of the States, Territories and the Commonwealth.

Extensive national consultation was part of this process.

This legislation comprises the Road Transport Reform (Dangerous Goods) Act 1995 (currently in place), and the associated Road Transport Reform (Dangerous Goods) Regulations, which the Commonwealth commenced on 31 March 1998.

To allow the changes to be phased in, the Commonwealth Regulations contain transitional provisions that will allow industry to comply with either existing legislation or the new requirements for the first six months after commencement.

This legislation comprises one of the first "modules" of national reform legislation prepared by the National Road Transport Commission, and has been approved by the Ministerial Council for Road Transport. The ACT Minister for Urban Services represents the ACT on this Council.

The purpose of this legislation is to improve the safe transport of dangerous goods by road, enhance national uniformity, and improve enforceability and compliance. Up to this point differences in State and Territory regulations have imposed significant difficulties on road transport operators who transport dangerous goods.

As a result of these national reforms there are consequential amendments necessary to the existing ACT Dangerous Goods Act 1984 to remove any inconsistencies with the impending national law. Areas which the national law do not cover will continue to be covered by ACT legislation.

I commend the Bill to the Assembly.

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