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This is a Bill, not an Act. For current law, see the Acts databases.


Zero and Low Emission Vehicle Distance-based Charge Bill 2021

     Zero and Low Emission Vehicle Distance-based
                  Charge Act 2021
                                No.        of 2021


                        TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Clause                                                               Page

Part 1--Preliminary                                                      1
 1       Purpose                                                        1
 2       Commencement                                                   1
 3       Definitions                                                    2
 4       Excluded vehicles                                              5
 5       Act binds the Crown                                            6
 6       Extraterritorial operation                                     6
Part 2--Zero and low emission vehicle distance-based charge              7
Division 1--Imposition and rate of charge                                7
 7       Imposition of charge                                           7
 8       Rate of charge                                                 7
 9       Indexation of rate                                             7
Division 2--Registered operator declarations                             9
 10      Initial declaration by registered operator                     9
 11      Subsequent declarations by registered operator                10
 12      Notice to lodge declaration                                   11
 13      Secretary may extend lodgement period                         12
 14      Secretary may waive requirement for declaration               12
Division 3--Determination of ZLEV charge                                12
 15 Secretary to determine amount of ZLEV charge                       12
 16 Further information                                                13
 17 Determination of amount of charge in absence of declaration or
    sufficient information or evidence                                 14
Division 4--Invoices and payment                                        15
 18      Issue of invoices                                             15
 19      Payment of invoices                                           15
 20      Revision of invoices                                          15
 21      Cancellation of invoices                                      16
 22      Validity of invoices                                          17




                                       i
Clause                                                                 Page

Division 5--Interest                                                      17
 23 Interest in respect of unpaid amounts                                17
 24 Minimum amount of interest                                           17
 25 Interest rate to prevail over interest otherwise payable on a
    judgment debt                                                        18
 26 Remission of interest                                                18
Division 6--Waiver and refunds                                            18
 27 Secretary may waive amounts of ZLEV charge                           18
 28 Secretary must refund overpayments                                   18
Part 3--Suspension and cancellation of registration                       20
Division 1--Suspension of registration                                    20
 29      Suspension of registration                                      20
 30      Notice of suspension                                            20
 31      Effect of suspension                                            21
 32      Secretary must lift suspension in certain circumstances         22
 33      Secretary may lift suspension                                   23
 34      Secretary may revoke suspension                                 23
Division 2--Cancellation of registration                                  23
 35      Cancellation of registration                                    23
 36      Notice of cancellation                                          24
 37      Obligation of registered operator if registration cancelled     24
 38      Secretary may reinstate registration                            25
 39      Secretary may revoke cancellation of registration               25
Part 4--Objections and reviews                                            26
Division 1--Objection to invoice                                          26
 40 Objection to invoice                                                 26
 41 Effect on objection if there is a revised invoice issued before
    objection is decided                                                 26
 42 Time for lodging objection                                           26
Division 2--Objection to decision to suspend or cancel registration       27
 43 Objection to decision to suspend or cancel registration              27
 44 Time for lodging objection                                           27
Division 3--Additional information and suspension of decision on
objections                                                               28
 45 Secretary may request additional information for the purpose of
    deciding objection                                                   28
 46 Objection lapses if there is non-compliance with an additional
    information notice                                                   28




                                         ii
Clause                                                                   Page

 47 Suspension of decision on objection on giving additional
    information notice                                                     29
 48 Suspension of decision on objection at request of objector             29
Division 4--Decision on objections                                          29
 49      Onus of proof on objection                                        29
 50      Decision on objection                                             29
 51      Secretary must inform VCAT of certain decisions on objections     30
 52      Notice of decision on objection                                   30
 53      Payment of interest following decision on objection               30
Division 5--Review of decisions on objections                               30
 54 Right of review by VCAT                                                30
 55 Onus on review                                                         31
 56 Giving effect to decision on review                                    31
Division 6--Miscellaneous                                                   31
 57 Recovery of ZLEV charge and suspension of registration
    pending decision on objection or review                                31
Part 5--Enforcement                                                         33
Division 1--Recovery of ZLEV charge and interest                            33
 58 ZLEV charge and any interest are debts recoverable by
    Secretary                                                              33
Division 2--Inspection of ZLEVs                                             33
 59 Authorised officers                                                    33
 60 Secretary may require inspection of ZLEVs for the purposes of
    taking odometer readings and verifying the identity of ZLEVs           33
 61 Inspection of ZLEVs                                                    34
Division 3--Record keeping                                                  35
 62 Registered operator to keep records and evidence                       35
 63 Period of retention                                                    35
 64 False or misleading information                                        35
Part 6--Use and disclosure of information                                   37
 65      Interpretation                                                    37
 66      Authorised use or disclosure                                      40
 67      Information protection agreements                                 42
 68      Disclosure not mandatory                                          44
 69      Freedom of Information Act 1982                                   44
 70      Offences regarding relevant information                           44




                                      iii
Clause                                                         Page

Part 7--General                                                   47
Division 1--Service                                               47
 71 Service of documents on persons other than the Secretary     47
 72 Service of documents on the Secretary                        49
Division 2--Evidentiary provisions                                50
 73      Presumption of regularity as to issue of documents      50
 74      Evidence of invoice                                     50
 75      Certificate evidence                                    51
 76      Copies of and extracts from documents                   51
Division 3--Miscellaneous                                         52
 77 Appropriation of Consolidated Fund                           52
 78 Regulations                                                  52
Part 8--Consequential amendments                                  54
 79 Amendment of Road Safety Act 1986                            54
 80 Amendment of Transport Integration Act 2010                  54
 81 Repeal of this Part                                          54
                        ═════════════
Endnotes                                                         55
 1       General information                                     55




                                       iv
     Zero and Low Emission Vehicle
     Distance-based Charge Act 2021  
                    No.           of 2021

                           [Assented to                       ]


The Parliament of Victoria enacts:

                 Part 1--Preliminary
     1 Purpose
             The purpose of this Act is to require registered
             operators of zero and low emission vehicles to pay
             a charge for use of the vehicles on certain roads.
     2 Commencement
             This Act comes into operation on 1 July 2021.




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Zero and Low Emission Vehicle Distance-based Charge Act 2021
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                    Part 1--Preliminary


3 Definitions
          In this Act--
          additional information notice--see section 45;
          authorised officer means an authorised officer
              appointed for the purposes of this Act under
              section 59;
          business day means a day other than a Saturday, a
               Sunday or a public holiday appointed under
               the Public Holidays Act 1993;
          current registration period, in relation to a ZLEV,
               means the current period for which the
               ZLEV is registered;
          declaration means a declaration under section 10
               or 11;
          Department means Department of Transport;
          electric vehicle means a motor vehicle that--
                 (a) uses one or more electric motors for
                     propulsion; and
                 (b) is fuelled from an off-vehicle electrical
                     power source, a battery or an electric
                     generator; and
                 (c) is not fitted with an internal combustion
                     engine that provides--
                       (i) propulsion; or
                      (ii) a fuel source for an electric
                           propulsion system;
          excluded vehicle means--
                 (a) mobile plant; or
                 (b) a motor cycle within the meaning of the
                     Road Safety Act 1986; or
                 (c) a heavy vehicle; or



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                    Part 1--Preliminary


                 (d) a motor vehicle determined as an
                     excluded vehicle, or a motor vehicle of
                     a class determined as a class of
                     excluded vehicles, under section 4;
          heavy vehicle has the same meaning as in the
              Heavy Vehicle National Law (Victoria);
          hydrogen vehicle means a motor vehicle that--
                 (a) uses one or more electric motors for
                     propulsion; and
                 (b) is fuelled from a hydrogen fuel cell;
                     and
                 (c) is not fitted with an internal combustion
                     engine that provides--
                       (i) propulsion; or
                      (ii) a fuel source for an electric
                           propulsion system;
          initial declaration means a declaration under
                section 10;
          invoice means an invoice issued under section 18
               or a revised invoice issued under section 20;
          mobile plant means a motor vehicle, including a
              tractor, that--
                 (a) is not a heavy vehicle; and
                 (b) is not designed solely for carrying
                     passengers; and
                 (c) the carrying of a load in or on is
                     incidental to the purpose for which the
                     vehicle was constructed, except water
                     in the case of concrete pumps and fire
                     trucks; and
                 (d) is not a tow truck within the meaning of
                     the Accident Towing Services
                     Act 2007;


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Zero and Low Emission Vehicle Distance-based Charge Act 2021
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          motor vehicle has the same meaning as in
              section 3(1) of the Road Safety Act 1986;
          notice of cancellation means a notice given under
               section 36;
          notice of suspension means a notice given under
               section 29(1);
          objection--see section 40 or 43;
          objector means a registered operator who lodges
               an objection under section 40 or 43;
          plug-in hybrid electric vehicle means a motor
               vehicle that--
                 (a) uses one or more electric motors for
                     propulsion; and
                 (b) is fuelled from an off-vehicle electrical
                     power source, a battery, a fuel cell or an
                     electric generator; and
                 (c) is fitted with an internal combustion
                     engine that provides--
                       (i) propulsion; or
                      (ii) a fuel source for an electric
                           propulsion system;
          registered, in relation to a ZLEV, means
               registered under Part 2 of the Road Safety
               Act 1986;
          registered operator, in relation to a ZLEV that is
               or has been used on a specified road, means
               the person who is or was the registered
               operator (within the meaning of the Road
               Safety Act 1986) of the ZLEV when it is or
               was used on the road;
          Secretary means Secretary to the Department;




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                    Part 1--Preliminary


          specified road means--
                 (a) a public road within the meaning of the
                     Road Management Act 2004; or
                 (b) a road related area within the meaning
                     of the Road Safety Act 1986; or
                 (c) a highway at common law in Victoria
                     that is not a public road or road related
                     area referred to in paragraph (a) or (b);
                     or
                 (d) a highway at common law outside
                     Victoria; or
                 (e) a road within the meaning of the Road
                     Management Act 2004, other than a
                     private road, prescribed by the
                     regulations;
          vehicle identifier has the same meaning as in
               section 3(1) of the Road Safety Act 1986;
          ZLEV means any of the following that is not an
             excluded vehicle--
                 (a) an electric vehicle;
                 (b) a hydrogen vehicle;
                 (c) a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle;
          ZLEV charge means the charge imposed by
             section 7.
4 Excluded vehicles
     (1) The Minister may determine either or both of the
         following--
           (a) a motor vehicle as an excluded vehicle;
           (b) a class of motor vehicles as a class of
               excluded vehicles.




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     (2) The Minister must cause a determination under
         this section to be published in the Government
         Gazette.
     (3) A determination under this section takes effect on
         the day it is published in the Government Gazette
         or on a later day specified in it.
5 Act binds the Crown
          This Act binds the Crown in right of Victoria and,
          so far as the legislative power of the Parliament
          permits, the Crown in all its other capacities.
6 Extraterritorial operation
     (1) This Act applies within and outside Victoria to the
         full extent of the extraterritorial legislative power
         of the Parliament.
     (2) In particular, this Act extends to the use of ZLEVs
         outside Victoria.




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Part 2--Zero and low emission vehicle
       distance-based charge
 Division 1--Imposition and rate of charge
7 Imposition of charge
     (1) The registered operator of a ZLEV must pay a
         charge for use of the ZLEV on specified roads.
     (2) The ZLEV charge is to be determined and paid in
         accordance with this Act and the regulations.
8 Rate of charge
     (1) The rate of the ZLEV charge is--
           (a) for each kilometre travelled on specified
               roads during the financial year starting on
               1 July 2021--
                 (i) 2.5 cents for a ZLEV that is an electric
                     vehicle or hydrogen vehicle; or
                 (ii) 2.0 cents for a ZLEV that is a plug-in
                      hybrid electric vehicle; and
           (b) for each kilometre travelled on specified
               roads during any subsequent financial year,
               subject to subsection (2), the rate in
               paragraph (a) as varied under section 9.
     (2) If the Minister makes a determination under
         section 9(5) for a financial year, the rate for that
         financial year is the same rate that applied for the
         purposes of the previous financial year.
9 Indexation of rate
     (1) Unless the Minister makes a determination under
         subsection (5), the rate of the ZLEV charge in
         respect of a financial year after the 2021-22
         financial year is to be varied in accordance with
         this section.



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     (2) The rate of the ZLEV charge for a financial year
         is to be varied in accordance with the formula--
                       CPIi
          R = PR ×
                       CPIii
          where--
         CPIi is the all groups consumer price index for
              Melbourne in original terms for the last
              reference period in the preceding calendar
              year most recently published by the
              Australian Bureau of Statistics.
        CPIii is the all groups consumer price index in
              original terms for Melbourne for the
              corresponding reference period one year
              earlier than the reference period referred to
              in CPIi most recently published by the
              Australian Bureau of Statistics;
           PR is the rate of the ZLEV charge for the
              previous financial year;
             R is the rate of the ZLEV charge for the
               financial year.
     (3) A calculation under subsection (2) is to be made
         to 4 decimal places but, for the purposes of the
         rate, is to be rounded to the nearest 0.1 cents per
         kilometre, with a calculation that ends in 5 being
         rounded up.
          Example
          If the calculation is 2.5634, the rate for the financial year
          would be 2.6 cents per kilometre. If the calculation is
          2.7500, the rate for the financial year would be 2.8 cents per
          kilometre.
     (4) If a calculation under subsection (2) would have
         the effect of reducing the rate of the ZLEV charge
         for the purposes of a financial year--




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           (a) the reduction does not take effect and the
               rate remains the same as for the previous
               financial year; and
           (b) when the rate is calculated under subsection
               (2) for the purposes of the next or a
               subsequent financial year--
                  (i) PR is the rate that would have been the
                      rate of the ZLEV charge for the
                      previous financial year but for
                      paragraph (a); and
                 (ii) if the rate as calculated would be less
                      than the actual rate for the previous
                      financial year, the rate of the ZLEV
                      charge remains the same as for that
                      financial year.
     (5) The Minister, after consulting the Treasurer, may
         determine, before the start of a financial year, that
         the rate of the ZLEV charge for that financial year
         is not to be varied under this section.
     (6) The Minister must cause notice of a determination
         under subsection (5), or notice specifying the rate
         of the ZLEV charge as varied under this section,
         to be published before the start of the financial
         year to which the determination or rate relates--
           (a) in the Government Gazette; and
           (b) on a website maintained by the Department.
     (7) Failure to publish notice under subsection (6) does
         not affect the validity of the determination or rate
         to which the notice relates.

Division 2--Registered operator declarations
10 Initial declaration by registered operator
     (1) The registered operator of a ZLEV must lodge an
         initial declaration with the Secretary within
         14 days after--


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           (a) 1 July 2021 if the ZLEV is registered in the
               name of the registered operator as at that
               day; or
           (b) the later day on which the ZLEV is first
               registered or re-registered in the name of the
               registered operator in any other case.
     (2) The initial declaration must be in the form
         approved by the Secretary and must--
           (a) set out the odometer reading of the ZLEV as
               at the time the declaration is lodged; and
               Note
               It is an offence under section 38 of the Motor Car
               Traders Act 1986 to tamper with an odometer.
           (b) include evidence of that odometer reading;
               and
               Note
               This evidence must be retained by the registered
               operator for 5 years--see section 63.
           (c) include any other information required by
               the Secretary.
     (3) The regulations may prescribe the types of
         evidence for the purposes of subsection (2)(b).
11 Subsequent declarations by registered operator
     (1) Subject to subsection (2), the registered operator
         of a ZLEV must lodge a declaration in respect of
         the ZLEV on or before the earliest of--
           (a) if the Secretary gives the registered operator
               a notice under section 12, the day specified
               in the notice; or
           (b) 14 days after the last day of the current
               registration period of the ZLEV; or
           (c) the day on which the ZLEV's registration is
               transferred to another person or cancelled.



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     (2) If, under section 13, the Secretary extends the
         period for lodgement of a declaration, the
         registered operator must lodge the declaration by
         the end of the period as extended.
     (3) A declaration under this section must be in the
         form approved by the Secretary and must--
           (a) set out the odometer reading of the ZLEV as
               at the time the declaration is lodged or, if
               that is not available, a statement of the total
               distance travelled by the ZLEV since the
               previous declaration; and
               Note
               It is an offence under section 38 of the Motor Car
               Traders Act 1986 to tamper with an odometer.
           (b) set out the distance, if any, travelled by the
               ZLEV since the previous declaration that
               was not on specified roads; and
           (c) include evidence of the matters in paragraphs
               (a) and (b); and
               Note
               This evidence must be retained by the registered
               operator for 5 years--see section 63.
           (d) include any other information required by
               the Secretary.
     (4) The regulations may prescribe the types of
         evidence for the purposes of subsection (3)(c).
12 Notice to lodge declaration
     (1) The Secretary, by written notice, may require the
         registered operator of a ZLEV to lodge a
         declaration with the Secretary on or before the day
         specified in the notice.
     (2) The day specified in a notice must be at least
         14 days after the day the notice is given to the
         registered operator.



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13 Secretary may extend lodgement period
          The Secretary, by written notice, may extend the
          period for the registered operator of a ZLEV to
          lodge a declaration.
14 Secretary may waive requirement for declaration
     (1) The Secretary, by written notice, may waive the
         requirement for the registered operator of a ZLEV
         to lodge a declaration in respect of the ZLEV if
         the Secretary considers it appropriate to do so in
         all the circumstances.
     (2) Without limiting the circumstances in which the
         Secretary may waive the requirement to lodge a
         declaration, the Secretary may do so--
           (a) if the declaration would otherwise be
               required to be lodged within 42 days after
               the day on which the initial declaration in
               respect of the ZLEV was required to be
               lodged; or
           (b) if the registered operator satisfies the
               Secretary that the registered operator is
               temporarily unable to access the ZLEV to
               obtain information required to make the
               declaration.
     (3) The Secretary cannot grant a waiver in the
         circumstances referred to in subsection (2)(b) if
         that would result in there being a period of more
         than 24 months between declarations in respect of
         a ZLEV.

Division 3--Determination of ZLEV charge
15 Secretary to determine amount of ZLEV charge
     (1) The Secretary must determine the amount of the
         ZLEV charge payable by a registered operator of
         a ZLEV in accordance with the following
         formula--


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          C = (TD − NRD) × R
          where--
            C is the ZLEV charge to which the
              determination relates;
        NRD is the distance, if any, travelled by the ZLEV
            that was not on specified roads in the period
            to which the determination relates;
            R is the applicable rate of the ZLEV charge
              under section 8;
          TD is the total distance travelled by the ZLEV in
             the period to which the determination relates.
     (2) The Secretary must determine the amount of the
         ZLEV charge from the declarations lodged by the
         registered operator unless--
           (a) the registered operator fails to lodge a
               declaration by the required day for
               lodgement; or
           (b) a declaration does not contain sufficient
               information for the Secretary to determine
               the amount of the ZLEV charge; or
           (c) the Secretary reasonably believes that a
               declaration is false or misleading.
     (3) In determining the amount of the ZLEV charge,
         the Secretary may assume, in the absence of
         evidence to the contrary, that all distances
         travelled by a ZLEV are travelled on specified
         roads.
16 Further information
     (1) The Secretary, by written notice, may require the
         registered operator of a ZLEV to give the
         Secretary any further information and evidence
         the Secretary reasonably requires to determine an




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          amount of the ZLEV charge payable by the
          registered operator.
     (2) The regulations may prescribe the types of
         evidence for the purposes of subsection (1).
17 Determination of amount of charge in absence of
   declaration or sufficient information or evidence
     (1) The Secretary may determine the amount of the
         ZLEV charge payable by the registered operator
         of a ZLEV from any information available to the
         Secretary, or by way of estimate, if--
           (a) the registered operator fails to lodge a
               declaration by the required day for
               lodgement; or
           (b) the Secretary reasonably believes that a
               declaration is false or misleading; or
           (c) the Secretary has insufficient information to
               determine the exact amount of the ZLEV
               charge.
     (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Secretary may
         determine the amount of the ZLEV charge by way
         of estimate--
           (a) if the period for which the charge is
               determined falls in more than one financial
               year and the rate of the ZLEV charge for
               each of those years is different; and
           (b) for the first determination of the amount of
               the ZLEV charge in respect of a ZLEV, to
               take into account the distance travelled by
               the ZLEV on specified roads after the
               liability for the ZLEV charge commences
               but before the initial declaration was lodged.




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       Division 4--Invoices and payment
18 Issue of invoices
     (1) After determining an amount of the ZLEV charge
         payable by the registered operator of a ZLEV, the
         Secretary must issue an invoice to the registered
         operator for payment of the amount.
     (2) An invoice must--
           (a) state the amount of the ZLEV charge to
               which the invoice relates; and
           (b) state the date by which the amount must be
               paid, which must be at least 14 days after the
               date the invoice is issued; and
           (c) set out how the amount was calculated; and
           (d) state any interest payable by the registered
               operator in respect of previous unpaid
               invoices.
19 Payment of invoices
     (1) The registered operator of a ZLEV must pay an
         invoice issued to the registered operator by the
         date for payment stated in the invoice.
     (2) An invoice is payable to the Secretary by any
         means approved by the Secretary.
20 Revision of invoices
     (1) The Secretary may issue one or more revised
         invoices to the registered operator of a ZLEV--
           (a) to give effect to--
                  (i) a decision on an objection or review as
                      to the initial invoice; or
                 (ii) a decision under section 26 to remit
                      interest; or




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           (b) if the Secretary considers that the initial
               invoice or a revised invoice was incorrect for
               any reason.
     (2) The Secretary may only issue a revised invoice
         within 5 years after the date of issue of the initial
         invoice unless--
           (a) the revision is to give effect to a decision on
               an objection or review as to the initial
               invoice; or
           (b) at the time the initial invoice, or a revised
               invoice, was issued, all the facts and
               circumstances affecting the calculation of the
               amount of the ZLEV charge to which the
               invoice relates were not fully and truly
               disclosed to the Secretary.
     (3) The Secretary may issue a revised invoice whether
         or not the amount of the initial, or previously
         revised, invoice has already been paid.
     (4) In issuing a revised invoice, the Secretary may
         determine that the registered operator of a ZLEV
         is liable for--
           (a) an amount of interest, when the initial, or
               previously revised, invoice did not include
               any amount of interest; or
           (b) an amount of interest that is greater or less
               than the amount of interest in the initial, or
               previously revised, invoice; or
           (c) an amount of the ZLEV charge that is greater
               or less than the amount of the ZLEV charge
               in the initial, or previously revised, invoice.
21 Cancellation of invoices
          The Secretary, by written notice, may cancel an
          invoice issued to the registered operator of a
          ZLEV--



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           (a) if the Secretary determines that the registered
               operator is not liable for the amount of the
               ZLEV charge or interest in the invoice; or
           (b) if the Secretary waives the amount of the
               ZLEV charge after issuing the invoice; or
           (c) to give effect to a decision on an objection or
               review.
22 Validity of invoices
          The validity of an invoice is not affected because
          a provision of this Act or the regulations has not
          been complied with.

                Division 5--Interest
23 Interest in respect of unpaid amounts
     (1) If an invoice is not paid by the date for payment
         stated in the invoice, the registered operator of the
         ZLEV is liable to pay interest, at the applicable
         rate, on the amount of the ZLEV charge that is
         unpaid calculated on a daily basis from the day
         after the date for payment until the day the amount
         of the ZLEV charge is paid.
     (2) The applicable rate is the rate fixed under
         section 2 of the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983
         that applied on the first day of July immediately
         before the date for payment stated in the invoice.
     (3) Interest is not payable in respect of any failure to
         pay interest under this Division.
24 Minimum amount of interest
          There is no liability to pay interest if the amount
          of interest is less than $10.




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25 Interest rate to prevail over interest otherwise
   payable on a judgment debt
          If judgment is given by, or entered in, a court for
          an unpaid amount of the ZLEV charge (or an
          amount that includes an unpaid amount of the
          ZLEV charge), the interest rate determined in
          accordance with this Division continues to apply,
          to the exclusion of any other interest rate, until the
          amount of the ZLEV charge is paid.
26 Remission of interest
          The Secretary, in any circumstances that the
          Secretary considers appropriate, may remit
          interest payable by the registered operator of a
          ZLEV under this Division by any amount.

        Division 6--Waiver and refunds
27 Secretary may waive amounts of ZLEV charge
          The Secretary may waive the whole or any part of
          an amount of the ZLEV charge otherwise payable
          by the registered operator of a ZLEV--
           (a) in the circumstances prescribed by the
               regulations; or
           (b) in any other circumstances the Secretary
               considers appropriate.
28 Secretary must refund overpayments
     (1) This section applies if the registered operator of a
         ZLEV--
           (a) has paid an amount to the Secretary in
               respect of an invoice that is greater than the
               amount of the ZLEV charge or interest stated
               in the invoice; or
           (b) has paid an amount to the Secretary in
               respect of an invoice and after that
               payment--


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                 (i) the Secretary cancels the invoice; or
                 (ii) the Secretary issues a revised invoice
                      for a lesser amount than the amount in
                      the initial, or previously revised,
                      invoice.
     (2) The Secretary must refund to the registered
         operator the amount that is the difference between
         the amount that the registered operator paid to the
         Secretary and the amount the registered operator
         is required to pay under this Act.




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      Part 3--Suspension and cancellation of registration



Part 3--Suspension and cancellation of
           registration
    Division 1--Suspension of registration
29 Suspension of registration
     (1) Despite section 9(1) of the Road Safety Act 1986,
         the Secretary, by written notice, may suspend the
         registration of a ZLEV if the registered operator
         has not--
           (a) lodged a declaration in respect of the ZLEV
               under Division 2 of Part 2 by the required
               day for lodgement; or
           (b) paid an invoice in respect of the ZLEV on or
               before the date for payment stated in the
               invoice; or
           (c) presented the ZLEV for inspection at the
               time and place specified in a notice given to
               the registered operator under section 60(1) or
               (3).
     (2) The suspension takes effect as specified in the
         notice of suspension, unless the registered
         operator takes the action specified in the notice.
     (3) The Secretary must not suspend the registration of
         a ZLEV under subsection (1) if the person who
         was required to do a thing referred to in
         subsection (1)(a) to (c) is no longer the registered
         operator of the ZLEV.
30 Notice of suspension
          A notice of suspension must specify--
           (a) the reason for the suspension; and




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      Part 3--Suspension and cancellation of registration


           (b) the action to be taken by the registered
               operator to avoid the suspension taking
               effect; and
           (c) the period within which that action must be
               taken, being a period of at least 14 days
               beginning on the day after the day on which
               the notice is given; and
           (d) that the suspension will take effect on the
               day after the end of that period, unless the
               registered operator takes the specified action;
               and
           (e) that, if the suspension takes effect, the action
               to be taken by the registered operator--
                 (i) to avoid cancellation of the registration
                     of the ZLEV; and
                 (ii) to have the suspension lifted; and
           (f) the period within which the action referred to
               in paragraph (e) must be taken, being at least
               14 days after the day on which the
               suspension takes effect; and
           (g) that the registration of the ZLEV may be
               cancelled if the action referred to in
               paragraph (e) is not taken by the end of the
               period referred to in paragraph (f); and
           (h) the registered operator's rights to object to
               the suspension under Part 4.
31 Effect of suspension
     (1) While the registration of a ZLEV is suspended
         under section 29, the ZLEV is unregistered for the
         purposes of Part 2 of the Road Safety Act 1986.




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      Part 3--Suspension and cancellation of registration


     (2) Despite subsection (1) it is not an offence against
         the Road Safety Act 1986 to--
           (a) leave a ZLEV whose registration has been
               suspended under section 29 standing on a
               highway; or
           (b) use a ZLEV whose registration has been
               suspended under section 29(1)(c) on a
               highway for the sole purpose of presenting it
               for inspection by the Secretary or an
               authorised officer under Division 2 of Part 5.
     (3) Suspension under section 29 does not alter the
         expiry date for the registration of a ZLEV under
         the Road Safety Act 1986.
32 Secretary must lift suspension in certain
   circumstances
     (1) The Secretary must lift the suspension of
         registration of a ZLEV under this Division--
           (a) for a suspension under section 29(1)(a),
               when the registered operator lodges the
               declaration; or
           (b) for a suspension under section 29(1)(b),
               when the registered operator pays the
               invoice; or
           (c) for a suspension under section 29(1)(c),
               when the registered operator presents the
               ZLEV for inspection at the place specified in
               the notice.
     (2) The Secretary must give the registered operator of
         the ZLEV written notice of the lifting of
         suspension of registration under subsection (1).




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      Part 3--Suspension and cancellation of registration


33 Secretary may lift suspension
     (1) The Secretary may lift the suspension of
         registration of a ZLEV under this Division--
           (a) to give effect to a decision on an objection or
               review; or
           (b) if the Secretary considers that the suspension
               should be lifted for any reason.
     (2) The Secretary must give the registered operator of
         the ZLEV written notice of the lifting of the
         suspension of registration under subsection (1).
34 Secretary may revoke suspension
     (1) The Secretary may revoke the suspension of
         registration of a ZLEV under this Division--
           (a) to give effect to a decision on an objection or
               review; or
           (b) if the Secretary considers that the suspension
               should be revoked for any reason.
     (2) The Secretary must give the registered operator of
         the ZLEV written notice of the revocation of the
         suspension of registration under subsection (1).

   Division 2--Cancellation of registration
35 Cancellation of registration
     (1) Despite section 9(1) of the Road Safety Act 1986,
         after the specified day the Secretary may cancel
         the registration of a ZLEV if--
           (a) the registration of that ZLEV was suspended
               under section 29(1)(a) and the registered
               operator has not lodged the declaration
               before the specified day; or




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      Part 3--Suspension and cancellation of registration


           (b) the registration of that ZLEV was suspended
               under section 29(1)(b) and the registered
               operator has not paid the invoice before the
               specified day; or
           (c) the registration of that ZLEV was suspended
               under section 29(1)(c) and the registered
               operator has not presented the ZLEV for
               inspection at the place specified in the notice
               under section 60(1) or (3) before the
               specified day.
     (2) In this section--
          specified day means the later of the following
               days--
                 (a) the day after the end of the period in
                     section 30(f); or
                 (b) the day after the end of the period
                     during which the registered operator
                     may object to the Secretary's
                     suspension of the ZLEV under Part 4.
36 Notice of cancellation
          If the Secretary cancels the registration under
          section 35, the Secretary must give the registered
          operator of the ZLEV written notice of--
           (a) the cancellation; and
           (b) the date of the cancellation; and
           (c) the registered operator's rights to object to
               the cancellation under Part 4.
37 Obligation of registered operator if registration
   cancelled
          If the registration of a ZLEV is cancelled by the
          Secretary under section 35, the registered operator
          of the ZLEV must, if required by the Secretary,
          return the ZLEV's number plates to the Secretary



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      Part 3--Suspension and cancellation of registration


          or an agent nominated by the Secretary, within
          14 days after the date of cancellation.
          Penalty: 3 penalty units.
38 Secretary may reinstate registration
     (1) The Secretary may reinstate the registration of a
         ZLEV that has been cancelled under this
         Division--
           (a) to give effect to a decision on an objection or
               review; or
           (b) if the Secretary considers that the registration
               should be reinstated for any reason.
     (2) The Secretary must give the registered operator of
         the ZLEV written notice of the reinstatement of
         registration under subsection (1).
39 Secretary may revoke cancellation of registration
     (1) The Secretary may revoke the cancellation of
         registration of a ZLEV under this Division--
           (a) to give effect to a decision on an objection or
               review; or
           (b) if the Secretary considers that the
               cancellation should be revoked for any
               reason.
     (2) The Secretary must give the registered operator of
         the ZLEV written notice of the revocation of the
         cancellation of registration under subsection (1).




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               Part 4--Objections and reviews



     Part 4--Objections and reviews
        Division 1--Objection to invoice
40 Objection to invoice
     (1) The registered operator of a ZLEV may lodge an
         objection to an invoice issued to the registered
         operator on any of the following grounds--
           (a) the ZLEV did not travel the distances subject
               to the ZLEV charge for which the invoice
               was issued;
           (b) the amount of the ZLEV charge stated in the
               invoice has been incorrectly calculated;
           (c) the amount of interest stated in the invoice
               has been applied or calculated incorrectly;
           (d) the ZLEV is not subject to the ZLEV charge.
     (2) An objection must--
           (a) be lodged with the Secretary in writing; and
           (b) state fully and in detail the grounds for the
               objection.
41 Effect on objection if there is a revised invoice
   issued before objection is decided
          If an objection to an invoice is lodged but a
          revised invoice is issued before the objection is
          decided, the objection may be continued against
          the revised invoice to the extent that it is liable to
          the same objection or to an objection that is the
          same, or similar, in substance.
42 Time for lodging objection
     (1) An objection under section 40 must be lodged
         within 60 days after the day on which the invoice
         is issued.
     (2) An objection is taken to have been lodged when it
         is received by the Secretary.


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                Part 4--Objections and reviews


Division 2--Objection to decision to suspend or
            cancel registration
 43 Objection to decision to suspend or cancel
    registration
      (1) The registered operator of a ZLEV may lodge an
          objection if the registered operator is dissatisfied
          with--
            (a) a decision under section 29 to suspend the
                registration of the ZLEV; or
            (b) a decision under section 35 to cancel the
                registration of the ZLEV.
      (2) An objection must--
            (a) be lodged with the Secretary in writing; and
            (b) state fully and in detail the grounds for the
                objection.
 44 Time for lodging objection
      (1) An objection under section 43 to a decision to
          suspend the registration of a ZLEV must be
          lodged with the Secretary within 28 days of the
          day on which the notice of the suspension is
          given.
      (2) An objection under section 43 to a decision to
          cancel the registration of a ZLEV must be lodged
          with the Secretary within 28 days of the day on
          which the notice of the cancellation is given.
      (3) An objection is taken to have been lodged with the
          Secretary when it is received by the Secretary.




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                  Part 4--Objections and reviews


Division 3--Additional information and suspension
            of decision on objections
   45 Secretary may request additional information for
      the purpose of deciding objection
        (1) The Secretary, by written notice (additional
            information notice), may request an objector to
            give the Secretary any additional information in
            relation to the objection that the Secretary
            reasonably requires to consider the objection.
        (2) An additional information notice must--
              (a) specify--
                    (i) the information to be given to the
                        Secretary; and
                    (ii) the date by which that information must
                         be given; and
              (b) include a statement to the effect that if the
                  information is not given to the Secretary by
                  the specified date, the objection will lapse on
                  the end of that day.
        (3) The date specified by the Secretary in an
            additional information notice must be at least
            30 days after the day the notice is given to the
            objector.
   46 Objection lapses if there is non-compliance with an
      additional information notice
             An objection lapses if the objector does not
             comply with an additional information notice
             before the end of the day specified in that notice.




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               Part 4--Objections and reviews


47 Suspension of decision on objection on giving
   additional information notice
     (1) If the Secretary gives an objector an additional
         information notice, the Secretary must suspend the
         decision on an objection on the day that the notice
         is given to the objector.
     (2) The Secretary must not restart the decision on the
         objection until the objector, or another person,
         gives the information specified in the additional
         information notice by the date specified in the
         additional information notice.
     (3) The information is taken to have been given to the
         Secretary when it is received by the Secretary.
48 Suspension of decision on objection at request of
   objector
          The Secretary, at the request of the objector, may
          suspend the decision on an objection to an invoice
          pending the outcome of any legal proceeding
          relating to a requirement to pay the ZLEV charge
          in respect of the invoice.

      Division 4--Decision on objections
49 Onus of proof on objection
          On an objection, the objector has the onus of
          proving their case.
50 Decision on objection
     (1) The Secretary must consider an objection and
         either--
           (a) allow the objection in whole or part; or
           (b) disallow the objection.
     (2) The Secretary may decide an objection that is
         subject to a right of review at any time before the
         hearing of the review proceeding commences.



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               Part 4--Objections and reviews


51 Secretary must inform VCAT of certain decisions
   on objections
          The Secretary must inform the principal registrar
          of VCAT if the Secretary decides an objection
          after an application is made for the review of the
          Secretary's failure to decide the objection.
52 Notice of decision on objection
     (1) The Secretary must give written notice to the
         objector of the decision on the objection.
     (2) The Secretary must, in the notice, give the reasons
         for disallowing an objection or for allowing an
         objection in part only.
53 Payment of interest following decision on objection
          Division 5 of Part 2 applies to an amount of the
          ZLEV charge required to be paid following the
          decision on an objection to an invoice.

Division 5--Review of decisions on objections
54 Right of review by VCAT
     (1) This section applies if--
           (a) an objector is dissatisfied with the
               Secretary's decision on the objector's
               objection; or
           (b) 90 days (not including any period of
               suspension under Division 3) have passed
               since an objector's objection was received by
               the Secretary and the Secretary has not
               decided the objection.
     (2) The objector may apply to VCAT for review of--
           (a) the Secretary's decision on the objector's
               objection; or




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               Part 4--Objections and reviews


           (b) the Secretary's failure to decide the objector's
               objection within 90 days (not including any
               period of suspension under Division 3) after
               the Secretary received the objection.
     (3) An application under this section--
           (a) in the circumstances referred to in
               subsection (2)(a), must be made within
               60 days after the day the objector was given
               notice of the Secretary's decision on the
               objection; or
           (b) in the circumstances referred to in
               subsection (2)(b), may be made at any time
               after the 90 day period (not including any
               period of suspension under Division 3).
55 Onus on review
          On a review under this Division, the objector has
          the onus of proving their case.
56 Giving effect to decision on review
     (1) The Secretary must take any action that is
         necessary to give effect to a decision on review
         within 60 days after the decision becomes final.
     (2) If no appeal to a court from a decision of VCAT
         on a review is commenced within 30 days after
         the day on which the decision is made, the
         decision is to be taken, for the purposes of this
         section, to have become final at the end of that
         period.

            Division 6--Miscellaneous
57 Recovery of ZLEV charge and suspension of
   registration pending decision on objection or review
     (1) The fact that an objection regime decision is
         pending does not in the meantime affect the
         invoice, or the decision to which the objection



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               Part 4--Objections and reviews


          regime decision relates, and the following things
          apply--
           (a) a ZLEV charge to which the objection
               regime decision relates is payable and may
               be recovered as if no objection regime
               decision were pending;
           (b) Division 5 of Part 2 applies to any unpaid
               ZLEV charge as if no objection regime
               decision were pending;
           (c) a suspension of the registration of a ZLEV
               continues as if no objection regime decision
               were pending.
     (2) In this section--
          objection regime decision means--
                 (a) a decision on an objection under
                     Division 4; or
                 (b) a decision on review under Division 5.




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                       Part 5--Enforcement



                Part 5--Enforcement
Division 1--Recovery of ZLEV charge and interest
  58 ZLEV charge and any interest are debts recoverable
     by Secretary
        (1) The ZLEV charge and any interest payable under
            Part 2 are debts due to the State.
        (2) An amount of the ZLEV charge and any interest
            payable under Part 2 that are not paid by the date
            for payment may be recovered by the Secretary,
            on behalf of the State, in a court of competent
            jurisdiction.

          Division 2--Inspection of ZLEVs
  59 Authorised officers
             The Secretary, by instrument, may appoint as an
             authorised officer for the purposes of this Act--
              (a) a person employed under Part 3 of the
                  Public Administration Act 2004; or
              (b) a person, or person of a class, prescribed by
                  the regulations.
  60 Secretary may require inspection of ZLEVs for the
     purposes of taking odometer readings and verifying
     the identity of ZLEVs
        (1) The Secretary, by written notice, may require the
            registered operator of a ZLEV to present the
            ZLEV for inspection by the Secretary or an
            authorised officer at a time and place specified in
            the notice, for the purposes of--
              (a) taking an odometer reading of the ZLEV;
                  and
              (b) verifying the vehicle identifier of the ZLEV
                  and the registration number assigned to the
                  ZLEV under the Road Safety Act 1986.


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                    Part 5--Enforcement


     (2) At least 24 hours before the date specified in the
         notice, a person given a notice under
         subsection (1) may request the Secretary to
         change the time or place of inspection.
     (3) If requested under subsection (2) to change the
         time or place of an inspection, the Secretary must
         consider the request and--
           (a) if it is reasonable to do so, change the time or
               place of inspection as requested; and
           (b) give the registered operator who made the
               request written notice either--
                 (i) specifying the new time or place for the
                     inspection; or
                 (ii) confirming the original time or place
                      for the inspection.
     (4) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, fail
         to comply with a notice under subsection (1) or
         (3).
          Penalty: 25 penalty units in the case of a body
                   corporate;
                     5 penalty units in any other case.
61 Inspection of ZLEVs
          The Secretary or an authorised officer may carry
          out an inspection of a ZLEV for the purposes
          specified in section 60(1).




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                    Part 5--Enforcement


           Division 3--Record keeping
62 Registered operator to keep records and evidence
     (1) A registered operator of a ZLEV must keep all
         records and evidence that are necessary to enable
         the ZLEV charge in respect of the ZLEV to be
         properly determined.
          Penalty: 25 penalty units in the case of a body
                   corporate;
                     5 penalty units in any other case.
     (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the registered
         operator has a reasonable excuse for non-
         compliance.
63 Period of retention
     (1) A person who is required by section 62 to keep a
         record or evidence must retain the record or
         evidence for not less than 5 years after the date it
         was made or obtained.
          Penalty: 25 penalty units in the case of a body
                   corporate;
                     5 penalty units in any other case.
     (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the person has a
         reasonable excuse for non-compliance.
64 False or misleading information
          A person must not include any information in a
          record or evidence required to be kept under
          section 62, or in any declaration or other
          document lodged with or given to the Secretary
          under this Act--
           (a) knowing that the information is false or
               misleading in a material particular; or




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                    Part 5--Enforcement


           (b) being reckless as to whether the information
               is false or misleading in a material particular.
          Penalty: 300 penalty units in the case of a body
                   corporate;
                     60 penalty units in any other case.




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           Part 6--Use and disclosure of information



Part 6--Use and disclosure of information
 65 Interpretation
           In this Part--
           another Australian jurisdiction means the
                Commonwealth, another State or a Territory;
           authorised representative, in relation to an
               individual, means a person who is--
                  (a) a guardian of the individual; or
                  (b) an attorney for the individual under an
                      enduring power of attorney; or
                  (c) a medical treatment decision maker for
                      the individual within the meaning of the
                      Medical Treatment Planning and
                      Decisions Act 2016; or
                  (d) an administrator within the
                      meaning of the Guardianship and
                      Administration Act 2019; or
                  (e) a parent of an individual, if the
                      individual is a child; or
                  (f) otherwise empowered under law to
                      perform any functions or duties or
                      exercise powers as an agent of or in
                      the best interests of the individual--
                except to the extent that acting as an
                authorised representative of the individual
                is inconsistent with an order made by a court
                or tribunal;
           consent means express consent or implied
                consent;
           individual includes a deceased individual;




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          Part 6--Use and disclosure of information


          information protection agreement means an
               agreement between a person or body and
               the Secretary in relation to relevant
               information that complies with section 67(2);
          intergovernmental agreement means a written
               agreement--
                 (a) between--
                       (i) the Secretary and a person or body
                           outside Victoria that has any
                           functions in relation to roads,
                           vehicles or transport that
                           correspond with any of the
                           functions of the Secretary under
                           transport legislation; or
                      (ii) the Secretary and a Minister of
                           another Australian jurisdiction; or
                      (iii) a Victorian Minister and a
                            Minister of another Australian
                            jurisdiction; or
                 (b) between the Secretary and a public
                     sector body or public sector bodies,
                     whether in Victoria or another
                     Australian jurisdiction, made for the
                     purposes of a national exchange of
                     information relating to vehicles or
                     drivers or to both;
          law enforcement agency means--
                 (a) Victoria Police or the police force or
                     police service of another Australian
                     jurisdiction;
                 (b) any other body or person responsible
                     for the performance of functions or
                     activities directed to--




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          Part 6--Use and disclosure of information


                       (i) the prevention, detection,
                           investigation, prosecution or
                           punishment of offences against
                           the laws of Victoria or another
                           Australian jurisdiction; or
                      (ii) the enforcement of infringement
                           penalties (by whatever name
                           they are known in the relevant
                           jurisdiction) issued under a law of
                           Victoria or another Australian
                           jurisdiction; or
                      (iii) the enforcement of the orders of a
                            court;
                 (c) a body or person authorised by a law of
                     Victoria or another Australian
                     jurisdiction to enforce a warrant;
          Minister of another Australian jurisdiction
              means a Minister of the Crown in right of
              that jurisdiction;
          relevant information means information--
                 (a) that is collected or received by the
                     Secretary in relation to the ZLEV
                     charge; and
                 (b) that identifies an individual or from
                     which an individual's identity can be
                     reasonably ascertained;
          relevant person means--
                 (a) an employee in the Department; or
                 (b) a person who is a delegate or
                     subdelegate of the Secretary; or
                 (c) a person engaged to provide services
                     for the Secretary;




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          Part 6--Use and disclosure of information


          transport legislation has the same meaning as in
               section 3 of the Transport Integration
               Act 2010;
          Victorian Minister means a Minister of the Crown
               in right of Victoria.
66 Authorised use or disclosure
     (1) Subject to section 67, the Secretary or a relevant
         person may use or disclose relevant information--
           (a) for the purpose of--
                 (i) the following functions and activities
                     when performed by the Secretary or a
                     relevant person--
                      (A) the administration of this Act or
                          the regulations;
                      (B) providing information of
                          community interest or benefit; or
                 (ii) research, or the compilation or analysis
                      of statistics, conducted in the public
                      interest, other than for publication in a
                      form that identifies an individual or
                      from which an individual's identity can
                      be reasonably ascertained; or
                (iii) the exercise of a power or the
                      performance of a function under
                      transport legislation; or
                (iv) any legal proceeding--
                      (A) arising out of this Act, the
                          regulations or any other transport
                          legislation; or
                      (B) that otherwise relates to
                          the performance of a road
                          management function within
                          the meaning of the Road
                          Management Act 2004 or to


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          Part 6--Use and disclosure of information


                           damage to infrastructure within
                           the meaning of that Act resulting
                           from a road accident--
                     including anything done for the
                     purposes of commencing any such
                     proceeding or providing a report of any
                     such proceeding; or
                 (v) giving effect to an intergovernmental
                     agreement; or
           (b) if the use or disclosure is reasonably
               necessary to lessen or prevent a serious
               threat to--
                 (i) an individual's life, health, safety or
                     welfare; or
                 (ii) public health, safety or welfare; or
                (iii) the environment--
               whether in or outside Victoria; or
           (c) for the purpose of dealing with exceptional
               circumstances in accordance with
               section 90L of the Road Safety Act 1986; or
           (d) with the consent of--
                 (i) the individual to whom the information
                     relates; or
                 (ii) the authorised representative of that
                      individual; or
           (e) for the purposes of one or more of the
               following functions and activities when
               undertaken by or on behalf of a law
               enforcement agency--
                 (i) the prevention, detection, investigation,
                     prosecution or punishment of offences
                     of any kind;




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          Part 6--Use and disclosure of information


                 (ii) the enforcement of laws relating to the
                      confiscation of the proceeds of crime;
                (iii) the preparation for, or conduct of,
                      proceedings before any court or
                      enforcement of the orders of a court;
                (iv) the protection of public revenue;
                 (v) the enforcement of infringement
                     penalties (by whatever name they are
                     known in the relevant jurisdiction); or
           (f) if the use or disclosure is otherwise required
               or authorised by law.
     (2) Section 90L of the Road Safety Act 1986 applies
         for the purposes of subsection (1)(c) as if--
           (a) a reference in that section to relevant
               information included relevant information
               within the meaning of this Part; and
           (b) a reference in that section to a relevant
               person included a relevant person within the
               meaning of this Part.
67 Information protection agreements
     (1) The Secretary or a relevant person must not
         disclose relevant information to a person or body
         under section 66(1)(a)(ii) or (iii) or (e), unless the
         person or body has first entered into an
         information protection agreement with the
         Secretary.
     (2) An information protection agreement must--
           (a) specify--
                 (i) the purpose for which the information
                     is proposed to be disclosed to the
                     person or body; and




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          Part 6--Use and disclosure of information


                 (ii) the provision of this Act under which
                      the Secretary is authorised to disclose
                      the information; and
                (iii) the means by which the information
                      will be provided by the Secretary; and
                (iv) the means by which the information
                     will be protected by the person or body;
                     and
                 (v) how compliance with the terms of the
                     agreement will be monitored and
                     enforced by each party to the
                     agreement; and
                (vi) the auditing arrangements; and
               (vii) the procedures for managing any
                     breach of privacy; and
           (b) include an undertaking by the person or body
               that the information will be used or disclosed
               only for the purpose specified in the
               agreement.
     (3) An information protection agreement may include
         any other requirements, qualifications or
         conditions specified by the Secretary.
     (4) Subsection (1) does not apply if--
           (a) an information protection agreement is
               currently in force between the Secretary and
               the delegator, employer, contractor or
               principal of the person or body who has
               requested the relevant information; and
           (b) in making the request for the relevant
               information, the person or body is acting
               within the scope of their actual or apparent
               authority under the delegation, employment,
               contractual relationship or agency.




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           Part 6--Use and disclosure of information


     (5) If a person or body requests relevant information
         other than for a purpose specified in
         subsection (1), the Secretary or a relevant person
         may require the person or body to first enter into
         an information protection agreement with the
         Secretary.
     (6) A person or body is not required to enter into an
         information protection agreement with the
         Secretary in relation to the use or disclosure of
         relevant information if--
            (a) the person or body is a relevant person; and
            (b) the relevant information is disclosed to the
                person or body in their capacity as a relevant
                person.
68 Disclosure not mandatory
           Nothing in this Part requires the Secretary or a
           relevant person to disclose relevant information.
    Note
    The Secretary or a relevant person is entitled not to disclose
    relevant information in the absence of a legal obligation to disclose
    it.
69 Freedom of Information Act 1982
     (1) A document which contains relevant information
         is an exempt document within the meaning of
         section 38 of the Freedom of Information
         Act 1982.
     (2) Subsection (1) does not limit the operation of
         section 38 of the Freedom of Information
         Act 1982.
70 Offences regarding relevant information
     (1) The Secretary or a relevant person or a person
         who has been a relevant person must not use or
         disclose relevant information other than as
         authorised by this Part--



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          Part 6--Use and disclosure of information


           (a) knowing that the use or disclosure is not so
               authorised; or
           (b) being reckless as to whether the use or
               disclosure is so authorised.
          Penalty: 120 penalty units or imprisonment for
                   12 months.
     (2) A person who obtains relevant information under
         an information protection agreement must not use
         or disclose that information other than in
         accordance with the information protection
         agreement--
           (a) knowing that the use or disclosure is not in
               accordance with the agreement; or
           (b) being reckless as to whether the use or
               disclosure is in accordance with the
               agreement.
          Penalty: 120 penalty units or imprisonment for
                   12 months.
     (3) A person, other than a person referred to in
         subsection (1) or (2), to whom relevant
         information has been disclosed as authorised by a
         provision under section 66, must not use or
         disclose that information other than in accordance
         with that provision--
           (a) knowing that the use or disclosure is not in
               accordance with that provision; or
           (b) being reckless as to whether the use or
               disclosure is in accordance with that
               provision.
          Penalty: 120 penalty units or imprisonment for
                   12 months.
     (4) A person who obtains relevant information other
         than as authorised under this Act must not use or
         disclose that information--


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          Part 6--Use and disclosure of information


           (a) knowing that the information was obtained
               other than as authorised under this Act; or
           (b) being reckless as to whether the information
               was obtained as authorised under this Act.
          Penalty: 120 penalty units or imprisonment for
                   12 months.




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                      Part 7--General



                 Part 7--General
                Division 1--Service
71 Service of documents on persons other than the
   Secretary
     (1) If under this Act or the regulations a document is
         required or permitted to be served on, issued to or
         given to a person (other than the Secretary), the
         document may be served, issued or given in or out
         of Victoria--
           (a) by delivering it personally to the person; or
           (b) by leaving it at the usual or last known place
               of residence or business of the person with a
               person apparently over the age of 16 years
               and apparently residing at that place or (in
               the case of a place of business) apparently in
               charge of or employed at that place; or
           (c) by sending it by post addressed to the person
               at the usual or last known place of residence
               or business of that person; or
           (d) if the person has given to the Secretary as the
               person's address an address that is not the
               person's place of residence or business, by
               sending it addressed to the person at that
               address; or
           (e) by sending it to a fax number or email
               address nominated by the person; or
           (f) by sending it by any other form of electronic
               communication nominated by the person; or
           (g) by notifying the person in accordance with
               subsection (2).




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     (2) If--
           (a) a person nominates an electronic means (the
               nominated notification means) by which the
               person may be notified that a document has
               been given to the person; and
           (b) the person nominates an electronic means
               (the nominated access means) by which the
               person may access that document--
          a document for the purposes of this Act may be
          served on, issued to or given to the person by
          giving the document to the person by the
          nominated notification means that states the
          document is available and how the person may
          use the nominated access means to access the
          document.
          Example
          A person may nominate to be notified by a mobile phone
          application that notifies the person that a document to the
          person is available to be accessed on a website maintained
          by the Department.
     (3) If a fax or email or other form of electronic
         communication is received after 4.00 p.m. on any
         day, it is taken to have been received on the next
         business day.
     (4) A document served or given by post to a person at
         an authorised address (within the meaning of
         section 163A of the Infringements Act 2006) and
         returned undelivered to its sender is deemed to be
         served 7 days after the date specified in the
         document as the date of the document, despite it
         being returned to the sender as undelivered.
     (5) Despite subsection (4), if--
           (a) a document is returned undelivered; and




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                        Part 7--General


           (b) the person to whom the document was sent
               demonstrates to the satisfaction of the
               Secretary that the person could not
               reasonably be expected to have received the
               document--
          the Secretary must treat the document as not
          having been served effectively on the person.
     (6) A person's residential address or address for the
         service of documents (including an electronic
         address) recorded against the person in any record
         maintained by the Secretary may be updated on
         the basis of notification by a third party and, for
         the purposes of subsection (4), is taken to be an
         authorised address of the person if the Secretary is
         satisfied that--
           (a) the third party is a credible source of that
               information; and
           (b) the information is likely to be up-to-date.
          Examples
          Notification given by a court, the Sheriff's Office, Victoria
          Police or any other enforcement agency.
72 Service of documents on the Secretary
          If under this Act or the regulations a document is
          required or permitted to be served on, given to or
          lodged with the Secretary, the document may be
          served, given or lodged--
           (a) by delivering it personally to the principal
               office of the Department; or
           (b) by sending it by post addressed to the
               Secretary at the principal office of the
               Department; or
           (c) by a means indicated by the Secretary as
               being an available means of service (such as
               by lodgement on a website maintained by the



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Zero and Low Emission Vehicle Distance-based Charge Act 2021
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                      Part 7--General


               Department or by other means of electronic
               communication); or
           (d) by leaving it with a person who has authority
               to accept documents on the Secretary's
               behalf.

      Division 2--Evidentiary provisions
73 Presumption of regularity as to issue of documents
          A document or a copy of a document bearing the
          written, printed or stamped signature or name of
          the Secretary or a person described in the
          document as a delegate of the Secretary is
          admissible in legal proceedings under this Act
          and, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, is
          proof that--
           (a) the document has been issued by the
               Secretary; and
           (b) all requirements for the issuing of the
               document have been complied with.
74 Evidence of invoice
          Production of an invoice, or of a document signed
          by the Secretary purporting to be an invoice, is
          admissible in evidence in legal proceedings under
          this Act and, in the absence of evidence to the
          contrary, is proof--
           (a) of the due issuing of the invoice; and
           (b) that the person named in the invoice as the
               registered operator of the ZLEV to which the
               invoice relates is the registered operator of
               the ZLEV and is liable to pay the ZLEV
               charge in the invoice; and
           (c) the ZLEV charge stated in the invoice has
               been determined correctly; and
           (d) all other details in the invoice are correct.


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75 Certificate evidence
          A certificate signed by the Secretary that states
          any of the following matters is admissible in legal
          proceedings under this Act and, in the absence of
          evidence to the contrary, is proof of the matters
          stated in the certificate--
           (a) that the person named in the certificate is
               liable to pay the amount of a ZLEV charge
               and interest (if any) stated in the certificate;
           (b) that a determination of the amount of a
               ZLEV charge and interest (if any) has been
               made in relation to circumstances specified
               in the certificate;
           (c) that the amount of a ZLEV charge and
               interest (if any) specified in the certificate is
               payable by a person named in the certificate
               or has been paid in whole or in part by or on
               behalf of a person so named;
           (d) that a document specified in the certificate
               was delivered to, left with, sent to or notified
               to a person named in the certificate on a day
               specified in the certificate;
           (e) that a declaration required by or under this
               Act has been, or has not been, lodged by or
               on behalf of a person named in the certificate
               on or as at a day specified in the certificate;
           (f) that a person named in the certificate is, or
               was, an authorised officer on the date
               specified in the certificate.
76 Copies of and extracts from documents
          A document signed by the Secretary purporting to
          be a copy of, or an extract from, an invoice or
          other document issued under this Act is
          admissible in legal proceedings under this Act
          without production of the original.


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            Division 3--Miscellaneous
77 Appropriation of Consolidated Fund
          If the Secretary is authorised or required to pay an
          amount by or under this Act, the amount is to be
          paid from the Consolidated Fund which is
          appropriated by this section to the necessary
          extent.
78 Regulations
     (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations
         for or with respect to any matter or thing required
         or permitted by this Act to be prescribed or
         necessary to be prescribed to give effect to this
         Act.
     (2) The regulations may--
           (a) be of general or limited application;
           (b) differ according to differences in time, place
               or circumstances;
           (c) confer a discretionary authority or impose a
               duty on a specified person or body or class of
               persons or bodies;
           (d) provide in a specified case or class of cases
               for the exemption of persons or things or a
               class of persons or things from any of the
               provisions of the regulations--
                 (i) whether unconditionally or on specified
                     conditions; and
                 (ii) either wholly or to any extent that is
                      specified;
           (e) apply, adopt or incorporate any matter
               contained in any document whether--
                 (i) wholly or partially or as amended by
                     the regulations; or
                 (ii) as in force at a particular time; or


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                (iii) as in force from time to time;
           (f) impose a penalty not exceeding 20 penalty
               units for a contravention of the regulations.




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Zero and Low Emission Vehicle Distance-based Charge Act 2021
                     No.       of 2021
              Part 8--Consequential amendments



 Part 8--Consequential amendments
79 Amendment of Road Safety Act 1986
           In section 5 of the Road Safety Act 1986--
            (a) in paragraph (c), for "it." substitute
                "it; and";
            (b) after paragraph (c) insert--
                 "(d) to limit access to the Victorian road
                      network to those who have paid
                      applicable fees and charges designed to
                      recover the costs attributable to vehicle
                      use of road provision and road safety
                      administration.".
80 Amendment of Transport Integration Act 2010
           In section 3 of the Transport Integration
           Act 2010, in the definition of transport
           legislation, after paragraph (ra) insert--
         "(rb) Zero and Low Emission Vehicle Distance-
               based Charge Act 2021;".
81 Repeal of this Part
           This Part is repealed on 1 July 2022.
    Note
    The repeal of this Part does not affect the continuing operation of
    the amendments made by it (see section 15(1) of the
    Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984).
                  ═════════════




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        Zero and Low Emission Vehicle Distance-based Charge Act 2021
                             No.       of 2021
                                        Endnotes



                                    Endnotes
1 General information
  See www.legislation.vic.gov.au for Victorian Bills, Acts and current
  authorised versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.
   
      Minister's second reading speech--
      Legislative Assembly:
      Legislative Council:
      The long title for the Bill for this Act was "A Bill for an Act to require
      registered operators of zero and low emission vehicles to pay a charge for
      use of the vehicles on certain roads and for other purposes."




                 By Authority. Government Printer for the State of Victoria.



                                            55


 


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