Regulatory reform update
James Smith, GM Policy & Advocacy
This week NRC joined representatives from the associations representing the various sectors that make up the transport industry for a progress update on the regulatory reform being undertaken by NZTA and MoT.
The group received a presentation from NZTA and MoT about the VDAM review, which is part of the Rules Reform Programme. The presentation covered the emerging scope of the review and the matters that will be covered separately as part of proposed changes to improve heavy vehicle productivity. Members gave some initial feedback on the scope and how proposals could be prioritised.
Industry provided an update on key matters. The key themes arising from this discussion included:
- Continued high levels of businesses in distress, with the slow economic recovery although some positive signs of recovery seen particularly for those parts of the sector with links to the agricultural/rural sector
- Some emerging concerns about the driver workforce and how immigration settings are impacting the ability to attract and retain workers
- The clean car standard.
- Some members noted they are busy supporting policy reviews across government and/or working to improve their research base to support policy reviews.
The Rental Vehicles Association will be invited to join the group at the next meeting.
The next scheduled meeting was due to take place in November, but this will be moved to early October. The change in meeting time will mean a deep dive on the System Overhaul workstream can proceed when members are not occupied with responding to the planned October consultation.
Members can expect to see requests for feedback on the proposed changes during October. These will have a significant impact on many members businesses so please take the time to read the information we send out and make your views known.
