Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Bill 2025

Spoke in support of the bill as implementing recommendations from the National Transport Commission to improve safety, reduce red tape and boost productivity in the heavy vehicle industry.

“The Crisafulli government is committed to delivering a government that works for you. That is why we welcome changes that can help reduce red tape and provide a simpler system to boost productivity and innovation, all without compromising safety.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

As committee member, supported the bill's reforms to improve road safety, productivity and compliance efficiency while reducing red tape.

“It aims to improve road safety, productivity and compliance efficiency in the heavy vehicle sector. It simplifies complex provisions, reduces red tape and introduces a more flexible, risk-based regulatory framework.”— 2025-10-30View Hansard

Announced Labor would vote in favour of the reforms, recognising the crucial role heavy vehicle drivers play and welcoming safety improvements including the expanded duty to be fit to drive.

“When I look at the policy objectives of this bill, I am pleased that these reforms are clearly designed to make our communities safer. We will be voting in favour of these reforms.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

As committee chair, praised the professionalism of the trucking industry and endorsed the bill's approach to continuous improvement in safety regulation.

“The truck drivers of today are absolute professionals. I am pleased to associate myself with many from my local community.”— 2025-10-30View Hansard

Supported the bill, highlighting the importance of the heavy vehicle industry to the economy and supply chains, particularly for her Redlands electorate.

“The heavy vehicle industry is the backbone of Australia's supply chains. It moves the food on our shelves, the steel in our buildings, the fuel in our vehicles and the materials that underpin every home, school, hospital and piece of infrastructure we rely on.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

As former transport committee chair, supported the bill's introduction of mandatory safety management systems and the expanded duty to be fit to drive.

“The bill also introduces a duty to be fit to drive, to complement the existing duty not to drive fatigued.”— 2025-10-30View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, acknowledging the regular updates needed to the heavy vehicle national law and Queensland's role as host jurisdiction.

“At the heart of this bill is updating the heavy vehicle regulatory framework, the Heavy Vehicle National Law.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

As committee member, outlined the key reforms including enhanced accreditation framework, safety management systems, and the new duty to be fit to drive.

“The primary objectives of these reforms are clear: to improve safety and productivity, reduce unnecessary regulatory red tape, enhance the functions of our regulatory bodies and streamline the administration of the law.”— 2025-10-30View Hansard

Supported the bill on behalf of his constituents in the Southern Downs, discussing the importance of the transport industry to his electorate.

“I rise to make my contribution on behalf of the people I serve in the Southern Downs on the Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Bill 2025.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

As committee deputy chair, supported the bill's aim to make laws simpler, safer and fairer for drivers, sharing a truckie's perspective on regulatory complexity.

“This bill is supposed to make those laws and rules simpler, safer and fairer.”— 2025-10-30View Hansard

Supported the bill, highlighting the significance of heavy vehicle movements through the Port of Brisbane in her electorate, with five million truck movements annually.

“I have the Port of Brisbane in my electorate. The Port of Brisbane has five million truck movements annually.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

As committee member representing a remote electorate, supported the need for universal governance while highlighting the challenges of operating road trains on remote dirt roads.

“Given the vast distances travelled between capital cities and the range of goods and services transported across the nation, there needs to be a universal approach to governance, regulation, compliance and enforcement.”— 2025-10-30View Hansard

Supported the bill, emphasising the importance of road safety to the people of Callide and the need for fit-for-purpose regulation of heavy vehicles.

“Road safety is incredibly important to the people of Callide. Unfortunately, I see far too many accidents across my region.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Praised the federal-state cooperation that led to the reforms and acknowledged the federal government's pivotal role in heavy vehicle safety.

“The Heavy Vehicle National Law has always stood as a model of national cooperation.”— 2025-10-30View Hansard

Supported the bill, congratulating the minister for leading the legislation nationally and noting the committee's recommendation that the bill be passed.

“This bill is about something pretty simple: keeping our roads safe.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the bill's focus on safety, citing road death statistics involving heavy vehicles and praising the minister's leadership.

“A recent Australian government heavy vehicle road deaths report reveals that there were 205 road deaths involving heavy vehicles and 98 deaths involving heavy rigid trucks in the past 12 months.”— 2025-10-30View Hansard

Supported the bill, speaking to the need for reform of the heavy vehicle national law from a regional Queensland perspective.

“This Heavy Vehicle National Law reform has been a long time coming.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the reforms while emphasising the importance of ongoing industry consultation and noting stakeholders still see more red tape than reform.

“The Heavy Vehicle National Law has been in place for a decade, yet after a six-year review many stakeholders still see more red tape than reform.”— 2025-10-30View Hansard

Supported the bill, highlighting how the amendments will make the law simpler and more flexible by shifting prescriptive requirements into regulations.

“This bill will make the Heavy Vehicle National Law simpler and more flexible by shifting a range of prescriptive requirements into regulations.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill's safety focus, particularly the expanded duty to be fit to drive and protections for drivers against workplace pressure.

“Every Queenslander has the right to travel on safe roads. Parents should be able to pick up their children from school safely.”— 2025-10-30View Hansard

Supported the bill, thanking the minister for Queensland leading the way on national heavy vehicle regulation.

“I want to thank the minister for bringing this bill to the House and for Queensland leading the way on national heavy vehicle regulation.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the bill's safety management standards but used the debate to criticise the minister for failing to repair road lighting on key freight routes in Logan.

“There are mandates on accredited operators to undertake safety standards.”— 2025-10-30View Hansard

Supported the bill, noting how concerns raised when the original heavy vehicle national law was introduced in 2012 are now being addressed.

“I remember when the original bill was first tabled in this House back in 2012. It was a very comprehensive bill but there were certain concerns and a lot of those concerns are addressed in the bill which is now before the House.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

As minister, supported simplifying the law to make it easier for industry workers to comply and championed careers in the heavy vehicle sector.

“We owe it to the hardworking people who operate in this industry to make the Heavy Vehicle National Law simpler and more flexible.”— 2025-10-30View Hansard

Replied in support as the minister responsible, expressing pleasure at bipartisan support for the bill and clarifying key provisions around the duty to be fit to drive.

“I am pleased to see support for the bill from members across the House and recognition of the importance of improving road safety for all Queenslanders and productivity in the heavy vehicle industry.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the bill's fatigue management provisions and education initiatives, noting significant heavy industry presence even in her inner-city electorate.

“I particularly note the provisions around fatigue management and improved enforcement arrangements and the recognition of education and awareness initiatives.”— 2025-10-30View Hansard

Drew on personal trucking experience to support the bill's streamlined compliance and improved safety standards for his electorate with 400km of Bruce Highway.

“I know what it is like to sit behind the wheel of a prime mover or a small truck, so I know all too well the risks that come with handling a vehicle that has a lot of weight in it.”— 2025-10-30View Hansard

Supported the bill's intent to reduce red tape but raised concerns about NHVR enforcement practices and disproportionate fines for minor issues on remote roads.

“They might have removed the red tape but now there is purple tape, green tape, yellow tape and all the other tape.”— 2025-10-30View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill as essential for his region where road transport is the economic lifeblood, from coalfields to the Port of Mackay.

“From the coalfields of Moranbah and the cane farms of the Pioneer Valley to the fuel trucks that roll in and out of the Port of Mackay every day, heavy vehicles are what keep Queensland moving.”— 2025-10-30View Hansard

Supported the bill while claiming Labor had started these reforms and the LNP was catching up. Emphasised the 'fatal five' causes of road deaths.

“Let's be clear: this bill builds on nationally agreed reforms developed by every state and territory transport minister, including Queensland's minister under the previous Labor government.”— 2025-10-30View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill, noting 3,020 heavy vehicles pass through Rockhampton daily and heavy vehicles account for up to 50% of traffic on regional highways.

“In Rockhampton alone an average of 3,020 heavy vehicles pass through daily. On some of our regional highways, heavy vehicles account for up to 50 per cent of all of the traffic.”— 2025-10-30View Hansard