Andrew Gee (Calare, National Party, Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I present the explanatory memorandum to this bill and I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The Road Vehicle Standards Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 will postpone the full commencement of the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 and Road Vehicle Standards (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2018. Full commencement will be postponed until a date that will be agreed with industry stakeholders but no later than 1 July 2021. The bill will provide more time for the government and for manufacturers, importers and in-service regulators of vehicles to prepare to transition to the new arrangements under the road vehicle standards legislation which replaces the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989.

The road vehicle standards legislation is the most important and extensive set of changes to the government's regulation of road vehicles in almost three decades. The reforms affect every aspect of existing practice. More time is needed for all affected parties to ensure the smooth implementation of the reforms and to avoid needless disadvantage to Australian businesses in transitioning to the new legislative arrangements. Postponing the full commencement of the road vehicle standards legislation will give stakeholders the opportunity to become familiar with their obligations under the new legislation, engage in detailed planning with the government and properly sequence required changes to business processes to maximise the benefits available to them once the substantive provisions of the legislation commence.

The government will use the additional time and flexibility to set a commencement date up to 1 July 2021, to continue engaging with stakeholders through established consultation arrangements and coordinate readiness across Commonwealth, state and territory governments to ensure the timing for the commencement of the legislation is right and to make the transition to the road vehicle standards legislation as smooth as possible.

The road vehicle standards legislation will provide a strengthened and modernised framework for the regulation of road vehicles in Australia which will maintain and improve vehicle safety, provide more choice for specialist and enthusiast vehicles, and be responsive to emerging technologies. The government remains committed to implementing the important reforms, and the postponement of the commencement of these reforms is crucial to this implementation.

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