Page 930 - Week 03 - Thursday, 22 March 2018

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As these regulations are notified in New South Wales and there is no automated system to advise the ACT of their notification, applying the same time frame to present these regulations as the time frame for ACT subordinate legislation raises practical difficulties. To address this issue, this bill extends the time frame for presenting Heavy Vehicle National Law regulations from six to 20 sitting days.

This bill is the result of suggestions from the justice sector and demonstrates that the government listens to good ideas for improving the operation of our legislation. I commend the bill to the Assembly.

Debate (on motion by Mr Hanson) adjourned to the next sitting.

Road Transport Reform (Light Rail) Legislation Amendment Bill 2018

Mr Rattenbury, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.

Title read by Clerk.

MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong—Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Minister for Justice, Consumer Affairs and Road Safety, Minister for Corrections and Minister for Mental Health) (11.37): I move:

That this bill be agreed to in principle.

I am pleased to introduce the Road Transport Reform (Light Rail) Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 into the Assembly today. This bill is the second stage of reforms required to the ACT’s road transport legislation to support the operation of light rail in the ACT. This stage of reforms is focused on regulating the operation of light rail as a public passenger service and ensuring the safety and amenity of light rail passengers.

This bill addresses ticketing, passenger conduct and behaviour, enforcement and revenue protection. This bill also takes the first steps in regulatory reform to create a seamless customer experience across the territory’s public transport network. In order to operate a light rail service in the territory, the bill requires an operator to be accredited under the Rail Safety National Law and enter into a contract with the territory. The Rail Safety National Law was adopted in the ACT in 2014. It provides a regulatory framework for the safety of the Australian railway industry, including light rail, in the territory. It is administered by the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator.

The Rail Safety National Law provides a comprehensive accreditation scheme for rail operators. With accreditation come a number of obligations, including driver management and reporting requirements, particularly with respect to incidents. Accreditation occurs on an annual basis. The bill requires a light rail service operator to report any incidents it is required to report under the Rail Safety National Law to


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