Commonwealth of Australia Bills Commonwealth of Australia Bills[Index] [Search] [Download] [Related Items] [Help]
This is a Bill, not an Act. For current law, see the Acts databases.
2002-2003
The Parliament of
the
Commonwealth of
Australia
HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES
Presented and read a first
time
National
Transport Commission Bill 2003
No. ,
2003
(Transport and Regional
Services)
A Bill for an Act to establish
the National Transport Commission, and for related purposes
Contents
A Bill for an Act to establish the National Transport
Commission, and for related purposes
The Parliament of Australia enacts:
This Act may be cited as the National Transport Commission Act
2003.
(1) Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table
commences, or is taken to have commenced, on the day or at the time specified in
column 2 of the table.
|
Commencement information |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Column 1 |
Column 2 |
Column 3 |
|
Provision(s) |
Commencement |
Date/Details |
|
1. Sections 1 and 2 and anything in this Act not elsewhere covered by
this table |
The day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent |
|
|
2. Sections 3 to 52 |
A single day to be fixed by Proclamation, subject to
subsection (3) |
|
Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this Act
as originally passed by the Parliament and assented to. It will not be expanded
to deal with provisions inserted in this Act after assent.
(2) Column 3 of the table is for additional information that is not part
of this Act. This information may be included in any published version of this
Act.
(3) If a provision covered by item 2 of the table does not commence
within the period of 9 months beginning on the day on which this Act receives
the Royal Assent, it commences on the first day after the end of that
period.
The purpose of this Act is to:
(a) establish a National Transport Commission with an ongoing
responsibility to develop, monitor and maintain uniform or nationally consistent
regulatory and operational reforms relating to road transport, rail transport
and intermodal transport; and
(b) provide a mechanism for the making of regulations, in accordance with
the Agreement, that set out:
(i) model legislation developed by the National Transport Commission and
agreed by the Australian Transport Council relating to road transport, rail
transport and intermodal transport; and
(ii) road transport legislation, regulations and other legislative
instruments (whether enacted or in model form) that were developed by its
predecessor, the National Road Transport Commission, and agreed by the
Australian Transport Council.
In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:
Agreement means the Agreement between the Commonwealth, the
States, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory entered into
in relation to this Act, and includes that Agreement as amended from time to
time.
Australian Transport Council means the council of
Commonwealth, New Zealand, State, Australian Capital Territory and Northern
Territory Ministers established on 11 June 1993 and known as the Australian
Transport Council, but constituted so that it consists of only one Minister
representing each of the Commonwealth, the States, the Australian Capital
Territory and the Northern Territory, when dealing with matters with which this
Act or the Agreement is concerned.
Chair means the Chair of the Commission.
Chief Executive Officer means the Chief Executive Officer of
the Commission.
Commission means the National Transport Commission
established by section 5.
Deputy Chair means the Deputy Chair of the
Commission.
intermodal transport means the interaction of operations
between transport modes.
member means a member of the Commission.
member of staff means:
(a) the Chief Executive Officer; or
(b) a person employed under section 44; or
(c) a member of the staff referred to in section 45; or
(d) any of the officers, employees and persons who, under section 46,
are to assist the Commission.
model legislation means legislation, regulations and other
legislative instruments developed by the Commission in accordance with the
Agreement.
ordinary member means a member of the Commission other than
the Chief Executive Officer.
road transport legislation means legislation, regulations and
other legislative instruments (whether enacted or in model form) that were
developed by the National Road Transport Commission established by
section 4 of the National Road Transport Commission Act 1991 and
agreed by the Australian Transport Council.
(1) A National Transport Commission is established.
(2) The Commission:
(a) is a body corporate with perpetual succession; and
(b) is to have a common seal; and
(c) may acquire, hold and dispose of real and personal property;
and
(d) may sue and be sued.
(3) The common seal of the Commission is to be kept in such custody as the
Commission directs, and is not to be used except as authorised by the
Commission.
(4) All courts, judges and persons acting judicially must:
(a) take judicial notice of the imprint of the common seal of the
Commission appearing on a document; and
(b) presume the imprint was duly made.
(1) The Commission has the following functions and powers:
(a) the functions and powers that the Agreement provides for it to
have;
(b) functions and powers conferred on it by or under this Act (other than
this section);
(c) such other functions that are, with the consent of the Australian
Transport Council, conferred on the Commission in writing by the
Minister;
(d) functions and powers expressed to be conferred on it by or under a law
of a State or Territory;
(e) functions and powers conferred on it by or under another law of the
Commonwealth.
(2) The Commission has power to do whatever is necessary for or in
connection with, or reasonably incidental to, the performance of its
functions.
(3) The Commission:
(a) is to perform its functions and exercise its powers in accordance with
the Agreement (so far as applicable); and
(b) in the performance of its functions and the exercise of its powers, is
to have regard to the principles and objectives set out in the Agreement;
and
(c) is to comply in all respects with the provisions of the Agreement that
are applicable to it.
(4) Paragraph (3)(b) does not limit the matters to which the
Commission may have regard.
(1) The regulations may set out model legislation and road transport
legislation.
(2) Any model legislation or road transport legislation set out in
regulations made for the purposes of this section:
(a) does not have the force of law; and
(b) may make provision for or in relation to a matter by applying,
adopting or incorporating (with or without modification) any matter contained in
an instrument or other writing as in force or existing at a particular time or
as in force or existing from time to time.
(3) Paragraph (2)(b) does not limit what may, under section 49A
of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, be included in model legislation or
road transport legislation set out in regulations made for the purposes of this
section.
(4) Subsections 48(3) to (7) and sections 48A to 49 of the Acts
Interpretation Act 1901 do not apply to regulations made for the purposes of
this section.
(1) The Commission is to provide to the Australian Transport Council such
reports relating to the Commission’s performance of its functions, or
exercise of its powers, as the Australian Transport Council directs.
(2) The Australian Transport Council may direct the Commission to provide
advice about any matter relating to:
(a) the functions or powers of the Commission; or
(b) the functions or powers of the Australian Transport Council as they
relate to the Commission.
(3) A direction under subsection (1) or (2) is to be given by
resolution of the Australian Transport Council carried in accordance with the
Agreement.
In the performance of its functions and the exercise of its powers, the
Commission must, where it is appropriate and practicable to do so, consult
with:
(a) governments and government bodies; and
(b) representatives of industries, including the road transport industry,
the rail industry and the related logistics industry; and
(c) representatives of people who live in regional or remote areas of
Australia; and
(d) other interested people, bodies and organisations.
If the Commission is involved in the development of a noise or emission
standard relating to the design, construction or technical characteristics of
new or in-service motor vehicles, the standard may only be developed in
conjunction with the National Environment Protection Council.
(1) The Commission consists of the following members:
(a) the Chief Executive Officer;
(b) 5 ordinary members.
(2) The Commission may perform its functions and exercise its powers
unless there are more than 2 vacancies in the Commission’s membership of
ordinary members.
(1) Ordinary members of the Commission are to be appointed by the
Minister, by instrument in writing, on the nomination of the Australian
Transport Council in accordance with the Agreement.
(2) A nomination of a person for appointment as an ordinary member is to
be made by resolution of the Australian Transport Council carried in accordance
with the Agreement.
(1) The Minister is to appoint, on the nomination of the Australian
Transport Council, a Chair and a Deputy Chair of the Commission from
among the ordinary members in accordance with the Agreement. An appointment is
to be by instrument in writing.
(2) A nomination of an ordinary member for appointment as the Chair or
Deputy Chair is to be made by resolution of the Australian Transport
Council carried in accordance with the Agreement.
(3) The ordinary member who is the Chair or Deputy Chair ceases to be the
Chair, or the Deputy Chair, as the case may be, if he or she ceases to be an
ordinary member.
Ordinary members hold office on a part-time basis.
An ordinary member holds office for such period, not exceeding 3 years,
as is specified in the instrument appointing the member.
(1) Ordinary members are to be paid such remuneration as is determined by
the Remuneration Tribunal but, if no determination of that remuneration is in
force, are to be paid such remuneration as is determined by resolution of the
Australian Transport Council, carried in accordance with the
Agreement.
(2) An ordinary member is to be paid such allowances as are determined by
resolution of the Australian Transport Council, carried in accordance with the
Agreement.
(3) A determination by the Australian Transport Council under
subsection (1) or (2) must be made in writing.
(4) Remuneration and allowances payable to an ordinary member under this
section are to be paid out of the money of the Commission.
(5) This section, other than subsection (4), has effect subject to
the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973, but subsection (4) has effect
despite that Act.
(1) In addition to remuneration and allowances under section 16, an
ordinary member is to be provided with such other benefits (if any) as are
determined by resolution of the Australian Transport Council, carried in
accordance with the Agreement.
(2) A determination under subsection (1) must be made in
writing.
(3) The benefits in respect of which the Australian Transport Council may
make a determination under subsection (1) are such benefits as the
Australian Transport Council considers are necessary or desirable:
(a) to assist an ordinary member in; or
(b) place the ordinary member in a position that may facilitate;
the performance of his or her functions.
(4) Benefits provided to an ordinary member under this section are to be
provided, or paid for, out of the money of the Commission.
An ordinary member may resign in writing signed by the member and
delivered to the Minister.
(1) The Minister may terminate the appointment of an ordinary member for
misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity.
(2) If an ordinary member:
(a) is absent from 3 consecutive meetings of the Commission, except on
leave granted under section 20; or
(b) contravenes section 31 without reasonable excuse;
the Minister may terminate the appointment of the member.
(3) The Minister must not terminate the appointment of a member under
subsection (1) or (2) unless the termination has been recommended by
resolution of the Australian Transport Council, carried in accordance with the
Agreement.
The Australian Transport Council may, by resolution carried in accordance
with the Agreement, grant an ordinary member leave of absence from a meeting of
the Commission.
An ordinary member holds office on such terms and conditions (if any) in
relation to matters not provided for by this Act as are determined, from time to
time, by resolution of the Australian Transport Council, carried in accordance
with the Agreement.
(1) The Deputy Chair is to act as the Chair:
(a) during a vacancy in the office of Chair, whether or not an appointment
has previously been made to that office; or
(b) during any period, or during all periods, when the Chair is absent
from duty or from Australia or is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties
of that office.
(2) If there is no Deputy Chair, the Minister may, on the nomination of
the Australian Transport Council, appoint an ordinary member to act as the
Chair:
(a) during a vacancy in the office of Chair, whether or not an appointment
has previously been made to that office; or
(b) during any period, or during all periods, when the Chair is absent
from duty or from Australia or is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties
of that office.
(3) If there is no Deputy Chair, or the Deputy Chair is acting as the
Chair, the Minister may, on the nomination of the Australian Transport Council,
appoint an ordinary member to act as the Deputy Chair:
(a) during a vacancy in the office of Deputy Chair, whether or not an
appointment has previously been made to that office; or
(b) during any period, or during all periods, when the Deputy Chair is
absent from duty or from Australia or is, for any reason, unable to perform the
duties of that office.
(4) The Minister may, on the nomination of the Australian Transport
Council, appoint a person to act in the office of an ordinary member:
(a) during a vacancy in that office, whether or not an appointment has
previously been made to the office; or
(b) during any period, or during all periods, when the member is absent
from Australia or is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of that
office.
(5) An appointment under subsection (2), (3) or (4) is to be in
writing.
(6) A nomination for the purposes of subsection (2), (3) or (4) is to
be made by resolution of the Australian Transport Council carried in accordance
with the Agreement.
(7) A person acting under this section during a vacancy is not to continue
to act for more than 12 months.
(8) Nothing done by or in relation to a person purporting to act under
this section is invalid on the ground that:
(a) the occasion for the person’s appointment to act had not arisen;
or
(b) there is a technical defect or irregularity in connection with the
person’s appointment; or
(c) the person’s appointment had ceased to have effect; or
(d) the occasion for the person to act had not arisen or had
ceased.
(1) The Commission must prepare a draft strategic plan at least once a
financial year and give it to the Australian Transport Council.
(2) The draft strategic plan must cover a period of 3 financial
years.
The Commission must consult the National Environment Protection Council
in relation to the preparation of the draft strategic plan. This section has
effect in addition to, and not instead of, section 9.
(1) If the draft strategic plan is given to the Australian Transport
Council, the Council must:
(a) approve the draft strategic plan; or
(b) refuse to approve the draft strategic plan.
(2) If the Australian Transport Council refuses to approve the draft
strategic plan, the Council must direct the Commission to:
(a) make such alterations to the draft strategic plan as are specified in
the direction; and
(b) give the altered draft strategic plan to the Council within the period
specified in the direction.
(3) The Commission must comply with a direction under
subsection (2).
(4) If:
(a) the altered draft strategic plan is given to the Australian Transport
Council; and
(b) the alterations are in accordance with a direction under
subsection (2);
the Council must approve the altered draft strategic plan.
(5) When the draft strategic plan or altered draft strategic plan, as the
case may be, is approved by the Australian Transport Council, the draft
strategic plan or altered draft strategic plan becomes a final strategic
plan.
(6) A final strategic plan is to be published by the Commission in such
manner as the Commission determines.
(7) An approval or direction under this section is to be given by
resolution of the Australian Transport Council carried in accordance with the
Agreement.
(1) The Commission is to hold such meetings as are necessary for the
efficient performance of its functions.
(2) The Chair:
(a) may, at any time, convene a meeting of the Commission; and
(b) must convene a meeting of the Commission if requested to do so in
writing signed by at least 2 other ordinary members.
(1) The Chair is to preside at all meetings at which he or she is
present.
(2) If the Chair is not present at a meeting but the Deputy Chair is
present, the Deputy Chair is to preside.
(3) If the Chair and the Deputy Chair are not present at a meeting, the
Chair may nominate an ordinary member to preside.
(4) If:
(a) the Chair and the Deputy Chair are not present at a meeting;
and
(b) the Chair does not nominate an ordinary member to preside;
the Deputy Chair may nominate an ordinary member to preside.
(5) Subject to this Division, the Commission:
(a) may regulate the conduct of proceedings at its meetings as it thinks
fit; and
(b) is to keep minutes of those meetings.
(1) A resolution is taken to have been passed at a meeting of the
Commission if, without meeting, a sufficient number of ordinary members indicate
agreement with a resolution in accordance with a method determined by the
Commission under subsection (2).
Note: Sufficient number of ordinary members
is defined by subsection (3).
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply unless the Commission:
(a) determines that it applies; and
(b) determines the method by which ordinary members are to indicate
agreement with the resolution.
(3) In this section:
sufficient number of ordinary members, in relation to a
resolution, means a majority of the number of ordinary members who would have
been entitled to vote on the resolution at a meeting of the Commission if they
had been present at the meeting.
At a meeting, 3 ordinary members constitute a quorum.
At a meeting, all questions are to be decided by a majority of votes of
the ordinary members present and voting.
(1) A member who has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in a matter
being considered, or about to be considered, by the Commission must, as soon as
possible after the relevant facts come to the member’s knowledge, disclose
the nature of the interest at a meeting of the Commission.
(2) A disclosure by a member who is not the Chair is to be recorded in the
minutes of the meeting and, unless the Chair determines otherwise, the member
must not:
(a) be present during any deliberation of the Commission in relation to
the matter; or
(b) take part in any decision of the Commission in relation to the
matter.
(3) A disclosure by the Chair is to be recorded in the minutes of the
meeting and, unless the Australian Transport Council determines otherwise by
resolution carried in accordance with the Agreement, the Chair must
not:
(a) be present during any deliberation of the Commission in relation to
the matter; or
(b) take part in any decision of the Commission in relation to the
matter.
(1) The Commission may constitute committees for the purpose of assisting
the Commission in the performance of its functions and the exercise of its
powers.
(2) A committee may be constituted:
(a) wholly by members; or
(b) wholly by persons who are not members; or
(c) partly by members and partly by other persons.
(3) The terms and conditions of appointment of members of a committee, and
the procedures under which a committee is to operate, are to be as determined by
the Commission from time to time.
(4) Remuneration and allowances (if any) to which a member of a committee
is entitled as such a member are to be paid out of the money of the
Commission.
(1) There is payable to the Commission such money as is appropriated by
the Parliament for the purposes of the Commission.
(2) The Finance Minister may give directions about the amounts in which,
and the times at which, money payable under subsection (1) is to be paid to
the Commission.
(3) In this section:
Finance Minister means the Minister administering the
Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997.
The Commission may receive money paid to it by a State or
Territory.
The money of the Commission consists of:
(a) money paid to the Commission under section 33; and
(b) money received by the Commission under section 34; and
(c) any other money paid to the Commission.
The money of the Commission is to be applied only:
(a) in payment or discharge of the costs, expenses and other obligations
incurred by the Commission in the performance of its functions and the exercise
of its powers; and
(b) in payment of any remuneration or allowances payable under this Act;
and
(c) in providing, or paying for, any other benefits that are to be
provided under this Act.
(1) The Commission is to prepare estimates, in accordance with Australian
Transport Council directions, of the Commission’s receipts and expenditure
for each financial year and, if the Australian Transport Council so directs, for
any other period specified by the Australian Transport Council.
(2) The Commission must submit estimates so prepared to the Australian
Transport Council not later than such date as the Australian Transport Council
directs.
(3) Except with the consent of the Australian Transport Council, the money
of the Commission must not be spent otherwise than in accordance with:
(a) the applicable strategic plan under section 23; and
(b) any applicable work program provided for in the Agreement.
(4) A direction, consent or approval for the purposes of this section is
to be given by resolution of the Australian Transport Council carried in
accordance with the Agreement.
(1) The Commission is not a Commonwealth authority for the purposes of the
Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997.
(2) Sections 9, 18 and 20 of that Act, and Schedule 1 to that
Act, apply in relation to the Commission as if it were a Commonwealth authority
for the purposes of that Act.
(3) However, if the Australian Transport Council passes a resolution,
carried in accordance with the Agreement, that imposes on the Commission
requirements that replace the requirements of the Finance Minister’s
Orders referred to in that Schedule, references in that Schedule to the Finance
Minister’s Orders are taken, in the Schedule’s application to the
Commission, to be references to that resolution.
(4) An annual report prepared by members under section 9 of that Act
must also contain any other information required by the Agreement to be included
in the report.
(5) A copy of each annual report given to the Minister must be given to
each member of the Australian Transport Council as soon as
practicable.
(1) There is to be a Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, who is to
be appointed for a period specified in the instrument of appointment by
the Chair.
(2) The Chair is to make the appointment on the recommendation of the
Commission. However, the Chief Executive Officer is not to participate in the
making of the recommendation by the Commission.
(3) The Chief Executive Officer is to manage the affairs of the Commission
subject to the directions of, and in accordance with policies determined by, the
Commission.
(4) All acts and things done, for the purposes of this Act, in the name
of, or on behalf of, the Commission by the Chief Executive Officer are to be
taken to have been done by the Commission.
(1) The Chief Executive Officer is to be paid such remuneration as is
determined by the Remuneration Tribunal but, if no determination of that
remuneration is in force, is to be paid such remuneration as is determined in
writing by the Commission.
(2) The Chief Executive Officer is to be paid such allowances as are
determined in writing by the Commission.
(3) A determination by the Commission under subsection (1) does not
have effect unless it has been approved by resolution of the Australian
Transport Council carried in accordance with the Agreement.
(4) Remuneration and allowances payable to the Chief Executive Officer
under this section are to be paid out of the money of the Commission.
(5) This section, other than subsection (4), has effect subject to
the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973, but subsection (4) has effect
despite that Act.
(1) In addition to remuneration and allowances payable under
section 40, the Chief Executive Officer is to be provided with such other
benefits (if any) as the Commission determines in writing.
(2) A determination under subsection (1) does not have effect unless
it has been approved by resolution of the Australian Transport Council carried
in accordance with the Agreement.
(3) The benefits in respect of which the Commission may make a
determination under subsection (1) are such benefits as the Commission
considers are necessary or desirable:
(a) to assist the Chief Executive Officer in; or
(b) to place the Chief Executive Officer in a position that may
facilitate;
the performance of his or her functions.
(4) Benefits provided to the Chief Executive Officer under this section
are to be provided, or paid for, out of the money of the Commission.
(1) The Chief Executive Officer has such recreation leave entitlements as
are determined by the Remuneration Tribunal.
(2) The Commission may grant the Chief Executive Officer leave of absence,
other than recreation leave, on such terms and conditions as to remuneration or
otherwise as the Commission determines.
The Chief Executive Officer holds office on such terms and conditions (if
any) in relation to matters not provided for by this Act as are determined by
the Commission from time to time.
(1) The Commission may employ under written agreements such persons as the
Commission thinks necessary for the performance or exercise of any of its
functions or powers.
(2) The terms and conditions of employment of persons employed under
subsection (1) are such as the Commission determines from time to
time.
(1) In addition to the staff referred to in subsection 44(1), the
Commission’s staff may be persons engaged under the Public Service Act
1999.
(2) For the purposes of the Public Service Act 1999:
(a) the Chief Executive Officer and the APS employees assisting the Chief
Executive Officer together constitute a Statutory Agency; and
(b) the Chief Executive Officer is the Head of that Statutory
Agency.
(1) The Commission may be assisted by:
(a) persons engaged under the Public Service Act 1999, and officers
and employees of authorities of the Commonwealth, whose services are made
available to the Commission in connection with the performance of its functions
or the exercise of its powers; and
(b) persons whose services are so made available under arrangements made
under subsection (2).
(2) The Commission may make with the appropriate authority or officer of a
State or Territory an arrangement under which the State or Territory may make
officers or employees available to the Commission to perform services in
connection with the performance of its functions or the exercise of its
powers.
(1) The Commission may engage persons with suitable qualifications and
experience as consultants to the Commission.
(2) The terms and conditions of engagement of a consultant are such as the
Commission determines from time to time.
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Commission may, by resolution in
writing, delegate all or any of its functions and powers to a person who
is:
(a) a member; or
(b) a member of staff; or
(c) an officer or employee of the Commonwealth; or
(d) an authority of the Commonwealth or an officer or employee of such an
authority; or
(e) an officer or employee of a State or Territory; or
(f) an authority of a State or Territory or an officer or employee of such
an authority.
(2) The Commission must not delegate a function or power to a person,
other than a member or a member of staff, unless the Australian Transport
Council has consented to the delegation, by resolution carried in accordance
with the Agreement.
(1) The Australian Transport Council may delegate to a member of the
Australian Transport Council all or any of the Australian Transport
Council’s functions and powers under this Act.
(2) A delegation is to be made by a resolution of the Australian Transport
Council carried in accordance with the Agreement.
(3) A delegation may be varied or revoked by a resolution of the
Australian Transport Council carried in accordance with the Agreement.
(4) If the Australian Transport Council delegates a function or power that
is to be performed or exercised by resolution, the delegate is to perform or
exercise the function or power by writing signed by the delegate.
(1) A certificate that:
(a) purports to be signed by a member of the Australian Transport Council,
or by a person authorised by the Australian Transport Council, by resolution
carried in accordance with the Agreement, to sign certificates for the purposes
of this subsection; and
(b) states that the Australian Transport Council or the Ministerial
Council has done any act or thing (for example, carried a particular resolution)
or formed any opinion;
is, upon mere production, receivable as prima facie evidence that the
Australian Transport Council or the Ministerial Council, as the case requires,
has done the act or thing or formed the opinion.
(2) A certificate that:
(a) purports to be signed by a member of the Australian Transport Council;
and
(b) states that a specified person is authorised by the Australian
Transport Council, by resolution carried in accordance with the Agreement, to
sign certificates for the purposes of subsection (1);
is, upon mere production, receivable as prima facie evidence that the
person is so authorised.
(3) An act or thing done by the Australian Transport Council (whether by
resolution, instrument or otherwise) does not cease to have effect merely
because of a change in the Council’s membership.
(4) A reference in paragraph (1)(b) or subsection (3) to an act
or thing done by the Australian Transport Council is a reference to an act or
thing done by the Australian Transport Council under or in connection
with:
(a) this Act, an instrument under this Act, or the Agreement; or
(b) the National Road Transport Commission Act 1991, an instrument
under that Act, or the agreements scheduled to that Act.
(5) A reference in paragraph (1)(b) to an opinion formed by the
Australian Transport Council is a reference to an opinion formed by the
Australian Transport Council under or in connection with:
(a) this Act, an instrument under this Act, or the Agreement; or
(b) the National Road Transport Commission Act 1991, an instrument
under that Act, or the agreements scheduled to that Act.
(6) In this section:
Ministerial Council means the Ministerial Council for Road
Transport that was established by the Heavy Vehicles Agreement (within the
meaning of the National Road Transport Commission Act 1991, as that
Agreement was in force before the commencement of subsection 44(6) of that
Act).
(1) The Australian Transport Council must:
(a) no later than the sixth anniversary of the commencement of this Act;
and
(b) no later than the end of each succeeding period of 6 years after that
anniversary;
review the operation of this Act and the Agreement, and on each occasion
give a written report of the review to the Prime Minister, the Premier of each
State, the Chief Minister for the Australian Capital Territory and the Chief
Minister of the Northern Territory.
(2) The report of each review must include:
(a) a recommendation as to whether the National Transport Commission
should continue; and
(b) a recommendation as to whether this Act should be repealed or amended;
and
(c) the reasons for the recommendations.
The Governor-General may make regulations, not inconsistent with this
Act, prescribing all matters:
(a) required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or
(b) necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving
effect to this Act.