HVIA has made a submission to the Senate Select Committee on Productivity, highlighting the massive productivity opportunities associated with Australia’s road freight sector – one of the most important arteries of the national economy.
The Senate’s investigation builds on the Federal Government’s attention on heavy vehicle reform, highlighted by the Treasurer’s request to the Productivity Commission to study heavy vehicle reform (with a draft report due April).
In its submission to the Senate Inquiry, available here, HVIA argues that a “step-change” is needed to deliver road freight productivity improvements.
Among the productivity enhancing opportunities cited in the submission are better government interaction with industry, a focus on improved operation of the National Heavy Vehicle Law, streamlined Australian Design Rules, and improved data.
Unfortunately, the current system is plagued with delays devoid of precedent, open to influence of local politics, and lacking transparency, the submission notes.
HVIA has put forward a series of specific and practical solutions for consideration. These include:
> Accelerating the establishment of a national automated access system (to streamline road access decision making for all heavy vehicles);
> A national register of access decisions (to improve transparency, accountability and investment decisions);
> Mandatory professional development for road managers on new innovations and combinations;
> A national bridge asset register and the inputs;
> Improved data collection processes to enable evidence-based decision-making; and
> Greater interoperability within the freight network to improve efficiency by standardising regulations, vehicle requirements, and operational practices across states and territories.
The Committee is due to report its findings by September 30, 2026.