Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003 (Vic)

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Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

Section Page
PART 1—PRELIMINARY MATTERS 1
1. Purposes 1
2. Commencement 2
PART 2—AMENDMENTS TO THE TRANSPORT ACT 1983 4
3. Increased penalty for false statements 4
4. Insertion of sections 129WA and 129WB 4
129WA. Codes of practice 4
129WB. Use of codes of practice in proceedings 6
5. Consequential amendments relating to codes of practice 7
6. Grounds of refusal of driver's certificate 7
7. Grounds of revocation of driver's certificate 8
8. Insertion of sections 157A and 157B 9
157A. Extension of meaning of "conviction" as used in
sections 156, 157 and 157B 9
157B.
Notification of convictions 10
9. Insertion of sections 175A–175D 11
175A. Other conditions of tow truck licence 11
175B. Delayed effect on introduction of new scheme 13
175C. Delayed effect on introduction of new code of practice 14
175D. Delayed effect if new requirements introduced 15
10. Additional regulation-making power 16
11. Divulging of restricted information 16
12. Insertion of section 221T 17
221T. Investigation by Ombudsman 17
13. Minor amendments 18

i

Section Page
PART 3—AMENDMENTS TO THE RAIL CORPORATIONS
ACT 1996 19
Division 1—V/Line Passenger Corporation 19
14. New Division 2A inserted 19
Division 2A—V/Line Passenger Corporation 19
14. Establishment 19
15. Trading name 20
16. V/Line Passenger Corporation not to represent the
Crown 20
17. Objective 20
18. Functions and powers 20
15. Consequential amendments 22
16. Consequential amendments to other Acts 23
Division 2—Other Amendments 23
17. Additional functions 23
18. Restrictions concerning participation in certain schemes 24

PART 4—AMENDMENTS TO THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT

COMPETITION ACT 1995 25
19. Insertion of sections 24A and 24B 25
24A. Codes of practice 25
24B. Use of codes of practice in proceedings 26
20. Other amendments 27

═══════════════

ENDNOTES 28

ii

Victoria

No. 34 of 2003

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments)

Act 2003†

[Assented to 27 May 2003]

The Parliament of Victoria enacts as follows:

PART 1—PRELIMINARY MATTERS

1. Purposes

The main purposes of this Act are—

(a) to amend the Transport Act 1983—

(i)  to provide for codes of practice in relation to rail operations; and

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

s. 2 Part 1—Preliminary Matters
(ii)

convicted of serious offences to be

to enable people who have been certificates for specified periods; and

(iii)  to provide for schemes of accreditation and codes of practice in the towing industry; and

(iv)  to enable certain information to be given to a public transport industry ombudsman; and

(v)  to enable the Ombudsman to investigate the activities of any person authorised to carry out certain public transport related functions, even if the person is an employee of a private company; and

(b) to amend the Rail Corporations Act 1996—

(i) to establish V/Line Passenger
Corporation; and

(ii)  to ensure that the rail corporations under that Act are able to participate in a public transport industry ombudsman scheme, but only with the approval of the Minister; and

(c)

to amend the Public Transport Competition Act 1995 to provide for codes of practice in relation to bus operations and to repeal some obsolete provisions.

2. Commencement

(1) This Act (other than Division 1 of Part 3) comes

into operation on the day after the day on which it

receives the Royal Assent.

(2) Division 1 of Part 3 comes into operation on a day

or days to be proclaimed.

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

Part 1—Preliminary Matters s. 2

(3) If a provision of this Act does not come into

operation before 1 July 2004, it comes into

operation on that day.

__________________
Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

s. 3 Part 2—Amendments to the Transport Act 1983

PART 2—AMENDMENTS TO THE TRANSPORT ACT 1983

3. Increased penalty for false statements

See:

Act No. At the foot of section 91 of the Transport Act
9921/1983. 1983 insert—
Reprint No. 8
as at "Penalty: 60 penalty units.".
13 June 2002
and
amending Act
Nos 81/2000
and 54/2001
(as amended
by Act No.
32/2002),
94/2001,
32/2002,
35/2002,
37/2002 and
54/2002.
LawToday:

dpc. vic.
gov.au

4. Insertion of sections 129WA and 129WB

Before section 129X of the Transport Act 1983 insert—

"129WA. Codes of practice

(1) For the purpose of providing practical

guidance to accredited managers of rail infrastructure, accredited providers and operators of rolling stock and any other person who may be placed under an

obligation by or under this Division, the practice.

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

Part 2—Amendments to the Transport Act 1983 s. 4

(2) A code of practice—

(a) may consist of any code, standard, rule, specification or provision relating to any aspect of the management of rail infrastructure or the provision or operation of rolling stock; and
(b) may apply, incorporate or refer to any document formulated or published by any body or authority as in force at the
time the code of practice is approved,
or as amended, formulated or published
from time to time.

(3) The approval of a code of practice takes effect on the day on which notice of the approval is published in the Government Gazette, or on any later day specified in the

notice.

(4) The Minister may—

(a) approve any revision of the whole, or any part, of an approved code of practice;
(b) revoke the approval of a code of practice.

(5) The approval of a revision to an approved code of practice takes effect on the day on which notice of the approval of the revision

is published in the Government Gazette, or
on any later day specified in the notice.

(6) The approval of an approved code of practice ceases to be of effect at the end of the day on which notice of the revocation of the

approval is published in the Government notice.

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

s. 4 Part 2—Amendments to the Transport Act 1983

(7) The Minister must cause—

(a)

a current copy of every approved code of practice; and

(b)

a copy of every document applied, incorporated or referred to in an approved code of practice (in the form in which that document has effect in the code of practice)—

to be made available for inspection by
members of the public without charge at the
office of the Secretary during normal office
hours.

(8) A person is not liable to any civil or criminal proceedings by reason only that he, she or it has failed to observe any provision of an

approved code of practice.

129WB. Use of codes of practice in proceedings

(1) This section applies if it is alleged in any proceedings under this Act that a person contravened or failed to comply with a

provision of this Act or the regulations in
relation to which an approved code of
practice provided guidance at the time of the
alleged contravention or failure.

(2) The approved code of practice is admissible in evidence in the proceedings.

(3) If the court is satisfied, in relation to any

matter that it is necessary for the prosecution
to prove in order to establish the alleged
contravention or failure, that—

(a)

any provision of the approved code of practice is relevant to that matter; and

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

Part 2—Amendments to the Transport Act 1983 s. 5
(b) the person failed at any material time to observe that provision of the approved code of practice—

that matter is to be taken as proved unless the court is satisfied that in respect of that matter the person complied with that provision of

this Act or the regulations otherwise than by
way of observance of that provision of the
approved code of practice.".

5.  Consequential amendments relating to codes of practice

(1) In the heading to Subdivision 7 of Division 3 of

Part 6 of the Transport Act 1983, before

"Regulations" insert "Codes of Practice and".

(2) After section 117(5) of the Transport Act 1983

insert—

"(6) A condition requiring compliance with any

provision of a code of practice (whether
approved under section 129WA or not) is of
no effect.".

6. Grounds of refusal of driver's certificate

(1) After section 156(2) of the Transport Act 1983

insert—

"(2A) Without limiting the discretion conferred on

the licensing authority by sub-section (2), the
licensing authority may refuse to grant a
person's application for a driver's certificate
if the person has been convicted of a level 1
or 2 offence.

(2B) If the licensing authority refuses to grant a

person's application for a driver's certificate because the person has been convicted of a level 1 or 2 offence, the licensing authority may declare that the person is ineligible to be

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

s. 7 Part 2—Amendments to the Transport Act 1983

granted a driver's certificate for a specified

period.

(2C) If the licensing authority makes a

declaration, it must give the person notice in
writing of the declaration.

(2D) The licensing authority must refuse to grant an application for a driver's certificate made by a person while that person is ineligible to be granted a driver's certificate under sub-

section (2B) or under section 157(2A)(b).

(2E) Sub-sections (2A) and (2B) apply with

respect to a conviction for an offence regardless of whether the offence was committed before or after the
commencement of section 6 of the
Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments)
Act 2003.".

(2) In section 156(4) of the Transport Act 1983, for

"Subject to section 33 of the Public Transport
Competition Act 1995, a" substitute "A".

7. Grounds of revocation of driver's certificate

(1) After section 157(2) of the Transport Act 1983

insert—

"(2A) If the licensing authority is satisfied that a

person holding a driver's certificate has been
convicted of a level 1 or 2 offence, it may,
by notice in writing—

(a) revoke the driver's certificate; and

(b)

declare that the person is ineligible to be granted a driver's certificate for a specified period.

(2B) If the licensing authority makes a

declaration, it must give the person notice in
writing of the declaration.

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

Part 2—Amendments to the Transport Act 1983 s. 8

(2C) Sub-section (2A)—

(a)

does not limit the discretion conferred section (2)(b); and

(b)

an offence regardless of whether the
offence was committed before or after
the commencement of section 7 of the

applies with respect to a conviction for Amendments) Act 2003.".

(2) For sections 157(5) and 157(6) of the Transport

Act 1983 substitute—

"(5) If the licensing authority suspends or revokes

a person's certificate under this section, or makes a declaration in relation to a person under sub-section (2A)(b), the person may appeal against the licensing authority's
decision to the Magistrates' Court within
28 days after receiving written notice of the

decision.

(6) On filing a notice of appeal under sub-

section (5) at the Magistrates' Court, the person must give a copy of the notice of appeal to the licensing authority.".

8. Insertion of sections 157A and 157B

After section 157 of the Transport Act 1983 insert—

'157A. Extension of meaning of "conviction" as used in sections 156, 157 and 157B

A reference in section 156, 157 or 157B to a

conviction of a person for an offence—

(a)

includes a reference to a court finding the offence proven against the person, even though the court does not record a

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

s. 8 Part 2—Amendments to the Transport Act 1983

conviction against the person for the

offence; and

(b)

includes a conviction incurred outside Victoria for an offence that, in the opinion of the licensing authority, corresponds to a level 1 or 2 offence; and

(c)

includes a conviction for an offence against a Commonwealth Act that, in the opinion of the licensing authority, corresponds to a level 1 or 2 offence.

157B. Notification of convictions

(1) This section applies to a person—

(a) who—

(i) holds a driver's certificate; or

(ii)  has applied for a driver's certificate but who has not had the application determined; and

(b)

who becomes aware that he or she has been charged with, or been convicted of—

(i) a level 1 or 2 offence; or

(ii) an offence against section 64 or 65 of the Road Safety Act 1986.

(2) The person must immediately after becoming

aware of the charge or conviction give the licensing authority details of the charge or conviction.

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(3) Sub-section (2) does not require a person to give the licensing authority any details that he or she has already provided to the

licensing authority.

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

Part 2—Amendments to the Transport Act 1983 s. 9

(4) This section only applies with respect to charges that are laid, or convictions that occur, on or after the date of commencement

of section 8 of the Transport

(Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003.'.

9. Insertion of sections 175A–175D

After section 175 of the Transport Act 1983 insert—

"175A. Other conditions of tow truck licence

(1) The purpose of this section is to facilitate—

(a) the achievement of the objectives of this Division (as set out in section 170) with respect to accident towing and heavy accident towing; and
(b) the maintenance of public confidence in the accident towing and heavy accident towing industries.

(2) The licensing authority may, from time to

time, determine that all the holders of
accident towing licences or heavy accident
tow truck towing licences—

(a)

relevant towing industry under a

must be accredited to operate in the scheme; or

(b) must observe one or more specified codes of practice that provide guidance to the operators of tow trucks.

(3) The licensing authority may only make such a determination if—

(a)

in respect of an accreditation scheme, the scheme is confined to the matters specified in the regulations as matters that may be dealt with by an

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

s. 9 Part 2—Amendments to the Transport Act 1983

accreditation scheme for the purposes

of this section; and

(b)

code is confined to the matters

in respect of a code of practice, the that may be dealt with by a code of practice for the purposes of this section; and

(c)

the scheme or code of practice regulations.

(4) If the licensing authority makes a

determination under sub-section (2)(a), it is an implied condition of an accident towing licence or a heavy accident tow truck towing
licence (as the case may be) that the holder
of the licence be accredited to operate in the
towing industry under the accreditation

scheme specified in the determination.

(5) If the licensing authority makes a

determination under sub-section (2)(b), it is an implied condition of an accident towing licence or a heavy accident tow truck towing
licence (as the case may be) that the holder
of the licence must observe the provisions of
the code or codes of practice specified in the

determination.

(6) Sub-sections (4) and (5) do not apply to a

licence until the holder of the licence is given notice of the determination by the licensing authority by written notice
addressed to the holder of the licence.

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

Part 2—Amendments to the Transport Act 1983 s. 9

(7) Subject to sub-sections (4) and (5) and

section 181, a person is not liable to any civil
or criminal proceedings by reason only that
he, she or it—

(a)

is not accredited under an accreditation scheme that is the subject of a determination; or

(b)

has failed to observe any provision of a code of practice that is the subject of a determination.

175B. Delayed effect on introduction of new

scheme

(1) This section applies to any person holding an

accident towing or a heavy accident tow
truck towing licence immediately before the
date the licensing authority makes a
determination under section 175A(2)(a) that
will apply to that licence.

(2) Section 175A(4) does not apply to the

licence with respect to the scheme that is the
subject of the determination until—

(a)

the expiry of 2 years after the licensing authority gives the holder of the licence the notice described in section 175A(6) in relation to the scheme; or

(b)

if any longer period is specified by the licensing authority under sub-section (3), the expiry of that longer period.

(3) The licensing authority—

(a)

may extend the 2 year period referred to in sub-section (2)(a) at any time before the expiry of that period; and

(b)

may extend an extended period at any time before the expiry of that extended period; and

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

s. 9 Part 2—Amendments to the Transport Act 1983

(c)

may extend a period under this sub- section in relation to the holder of a licence, to a class of licence holders or

to all holders of licences to whom the
notice was given.

(4) If the licensing authority extends a period

under sub-section (3) at any time after giving the holder of a licence the notice described in section 175A(6), the licensing authority must give the holder of the licence written notice

of the extension.

175C. Delayed effect on introduction of new code

of practice

(1) This section applies to any person holding an

accident towing or a heavy accident tow
truck towing licence immediately before the
date the licensing authority makes a
determination under section 175A(2)(b) that
will apply to that licence.

(2) In giving the holder of the licence the notice

described in section 175A(6), the licensing
authority must also state in the notice that the
requirements of the code of practice that is
the subject of the determination will not
apply until a specified date.

(3) For the purposes of sub-section (2), the

licensing authority must specify a date that
will ensure that licence holders have a
reasonable, having regard to the nature of the
new obligations that will be imposed on
them by the code of practice, period of time
within which to prepare to comply with those
new obligations.

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

Part 2—Amendments to the Transport Act 1983 s. 9

(4) Section 175A(5) does not apply to the

licence with respect to the code of practice
that is the subject of the determination
until—

(a)

the date required by sub-section (2) that is specified in the notice; or

(b)

if any longer period is specified by the licensing authority under sub-section (5), the expiry of that longer period.

(5) The licensing authority—

(a)

may extend the date required by sub- section (2) at any time before that date; and

(b)

may extend an extended period at any time before the expiry of that extended period; and

(c)

may extend a period under this sub- section in relation to the holder of a licence, to a class of licence holders or

to all holders of licences to whom the
notice was given.

(6) If the licensing authority extends a period

under sub-section (5) at any time after giving the holder of a licence the notice described in section 175A(6), the licensing authority must give the holder of the licence written notice

of the extension.

175D. Delayed effect if new requirements

introduced

(1) This section applies if changes are made to

an accreditation scheme or a code of practice
that is the subject of a determination made
under section 175A.

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

s. 10 Part 2—Amendments to the Transport Act 1983

(2) Sections 175A(4) and 175A(5) do not apply to a licence with respect to any requirement of an accreditation scheme or code of

practice that imposes a new obligation on the

holder of the licence until—

(a) the holder of the licence is given notice by the licensing authority of the requirement by written notice addressed to him, her or it; and
(b) the period specified in the notice as the period of grace that applies in relation to compliance with the requirement

expires.

(3) For the purposes of sub-section (2)(b), the

licensing authority must specify a reasonable
period of grace.".

10. Additional regulation-making power

After section 185(1)(g) of the Transport Act
1983 insert—

"(ga) with respect to matters specified for the purposes of section 175A(3)—

(i)  what requirements may, or may not, be imposed by an accreditation scheme or code of practice;

(ii)  what things must, or must not, be included in an accreditation scheme or code of practice;".

11. Divulging of restricted information

(1) In section 221(7) of the Transport Act 1983, for

"sub-section (8)" substitute "sub-sections (8)
and (9)".

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

Part 2—Amendments to the Transport Act 1983 s. 12

(2) After section 221(8) of the Transport Act 1983

insert—

"(9) Sub-section (7) also does not prevent the

divulging, use or revealing of information to
a person—

(a) who the Secretary certifies in writing—

(i)  is a public transport industry ombudsman; and

(ii)

has an appropriate privacy relation to any information of the nature of the information that is to be divulged to, used by, or revealed to, the person; and

(b)

information is needed to investigate or
otherwise deal with a complaint

who states in writing that the person.".

12. Insertion of section 221T

After section 221S of the Transport Act 1983 insert—

"221T. Investigation by Ombudsman

(1) The Ombudsman may enquire into or investigate—

(a) any action taken, or not taken, by a person—

(i)  who is authorised under a relevant provision; or

(ii)  who is an authorised officer in relation to a transport or ticket infringement under Division 2 of

Part VII; or

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

s. 13 Part 2—Amendments to the Transport Act 1983
(iii)

who is an authorised officer section 218B—

in the person's capacity as an authorised
person under the relevant authorising

provision; and

(b)

any matter relating to such an action or inaction.

(2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), the

Ombudsman Act 1973 applies as if—

(a)

the employer of the person was a public statutory body within the meaning of that Act; and

(b)

the senior executive officer of the employer (by whatever title he or she is known) was the principal officer of that public statutory body.".

13. Minor amendments

In the Transport Act 1983—

(a)

in section 7, for "of Transport" substitute "for Transport";

(b)

in section 100A(1)(b), for "by the Department" substitute "by the Secretary";

(c)

in section 100A(4)(b), for "the restrictions" substitute "any restrictions";

(d) in section 174AB(1)(a), omit "174(4),".

__________________
Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

Part 3—Amendments to the Rail Corporations Act 1996 s. 14

PART 3—AMENDMENTS TO THE RAIL CORPORATIONS

ACT 1996

Division 1—V/Line Passenger Corporation

14. New Division 2A inserted

See:

After Division 2 of Part 2 of the Rail Act No.
Corporations Act 1996 insert— 79/1996.
Reprint No. 2
as at

'Division 2A—V/Line Passenger Corporation

1 January 2001 and amending

14. Establishment

Act Nos 44/2001,

(1) V/Line Passenger Corporation is established.

54/2001, 62/2001

(2) V/Line Passenger Corporation—

and 20/2002. LawToday:

(a) is a body corporate with perpetual
dpc.vic.
succession; and gov.au

(b) is to have an official seal; and

(c) may sue and be sued; and

(d) may acquire, hold and dispose of real and personal property; and
(e) may do and suffer all acts and things that a body corporate may by law do and suffer.

(3) All courts must take judicial notice of the

seal of V/Line Passenger Corporation affixed
to a document and, until the contrary is
proved, must presume that it was duly
affixed.

(4) The official seal of V/Line Passenger

Corporation must be kept in such custody as
V/Line Passenger Corporation directs and
must not be used except as authorised by
V/Line Passenger Corporation.

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

s. 14 Part 3—Amendments to the Rail Corporations Act 1996
15.

Trading name Business Names Act 1962 or any other act or law, V/Line Passenger Corporation may carry on business under the name "V/Line Passenger".

16.  V/Line Passenger Corporation not to represent the Crown

V/Line Passenger Corporation is a public authority, but does not represent the Crown.

17.

Objective Corporation is to perform its functions in an efficient and commercial manner.

18. Functions and powers

(1) The functions of V/Line Passenger

Corporation are—

(a) to operate rural rail passenger services;

(b)

incidental to its rail passenger services,

to operate services ancillary or services;

(c) to efficiently deal with any complaints concerning the way it carries out its functions;
(d) to do anything else it is required to do by this or any other Act.

(2) For the purpose of carrying out its functions

and achieving its objectives, V/Line
Passenger Corporation may—

(a)

enter into contracts, agreements, leases and licences;

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

Part 3—Amendments to the Rail Corporations Act 1996 s. 14

(b)

acquire and operate rail infrastructure, rolling stock and other vehicles;

(c) engage agents or consultants;

(d) act as agent of another person;

(e) do any thing else that is necessary or convenient to be done for, or in connection with, achieving that purpose.

(3) Without limiting the generality of the

functions and powers conferred on it, V/Line
Passenger Corporation may—

(a) form, or participate in the formation of, or be a member of companies;
(b)

and may participate in, partnerships,
trusts, unincorporated joint ventures

form, or participate in the formation of, of profits;

(c) act as trustee;

(d)

engage in any business, undertaking or of its functions;

(e)

make its staff and land and other property vested in or managed by it available for engagement or use by other persons.

(4) Despite sub-sections (2) and (3), V/Line

Passenger Corporation must not, without the written approval of the Minister—

(a) form, or participate in the formation of, or be a member of, or hold shares in, a company that carries out the functions of a public transport industry

ombudsman; or

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

s. 15 Part 3—Amendments to the Rail Corporations Act 1996

(b)

enter into an agreement with respect to participating in a public transport industry ombudsman scheme.

(5) V/Line Passenger Corporation may, with the

approval or at the direction of the Minister, cease to perform all or any of its functions.

(6) Without limiting, or taking away, any of his or her other powers, the Minister, for and on behalf of the Crown, may be a party to any

agreement providing for the sale, other agreement of any kind.'.

assignment, transfer or disposal of all or any
part of the property, rights, liabilities,
undertaking or business of V/Line Passenger

15. Consequential amendments

In the Rail Corporations Act 1996—

(a) in section 3(1), in the definition of "rail corporation", after "Rail Track" insert ",V/Line Passenger Corporation";
(b) after sections 61(3)(c), 62(4)(c), 64(2)(c) and 67(3)(c) insert—

"(d) V/Line Passenger Corporation;";

(c) in sections 64(2)(i) and 67(3)(i), after "paragraph (c)," insert "(d),";
(d)

in section 104(2), insert the following ' "V/Line Passenger Corporation" means

both—

(a) V/Line Passenger Corporation as established under Division 2E of Part 2 before that Division was

repealed; and

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

Part 3—Amendments to the Rail Corporations Act 1996 s. 16

(b)

V/Line Passenger Corporation as established under Division 2A of Part 2.'.

16. Consequential amendments to other Acts

(1) In section 2(1) of the Transport Act 1983, in the

definition of "passenger transport company",
before paragraph (e) insert—

"(d) V/Line Passenger Corporation; or".

(2) In Schedule 1 to the Borrowing and Investment Powers Act 1987, after item 23A insert—

"23B. V/Line Passenger 5, 8, 10, 11,
Corporation 11AA, 11AB, 13,
14, 14A, 15, 20,
20A and 21".

(3) In the Treasury Corporation of Victoria Act

1992—

(a)

in section 36A, in the definition of "public authority", after "Victorian Rail Track," insert "V/Line Passenger Corporation,";

(b)

in Schedule 1, after the entry relating to Victorian Rail Track insert—

"V/Line Passenger Rail Corporations Act
Corporation 1996".

Division 2—Other Amendments

17. Additional functions

(1) After section 11(1)(bb) of the Rail Corporations

Act 1996 insert—

"(bc) to efficiently deal with any complaints

concerning the way it carries out its
functions;".

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

s. 18 Part 3—Amendments to the Rail Corporations Act 1996
(2) After section 18ZJ(1)(b) of the Rail

Corporations Act 1996 insert—

"(ba) to efficiently deal with any complaints

concerning the way it carries out its
functions; and".

18.  Restrictions concerning participation in certain schemes

(1) After section 11(4) of the Rail Corporations Act

1996 insert—

"(5) Despite sub-sections (2) and (3), Rail Track must not, without the written approval of the Minister—

(a) form, or participate in the formation of, or be a member of, or hold shares in, a company that carries out the functions of a public transport industry

ombudsman; or

(b)

enter into an agreement with respect to participating in a public transport industry ombudsman scheme.".

(2) After section 18ZJ(5) of the Rail Corporations

Act 1996 insert—

"(6) Despite sub-sections (3) and (4), the

Authority must not, without the written approval of the Minister—

(a) form, or participate in the formation of, or be a member of, or hold shares in, a company that carries out the functions of a public transport industry

ombudsman; or

(b)

enter into an agreement with respect to participating in a public transport industry ombudsman scheme.".

__________________

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

Part 4—Amendments to the Public Transport Competition Act 1995 s. 19

PART 4—AMENDMENTS TO THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT

COMPETITION ACT 1995

19. Insertion of sections 24A and 24B

See:

After section 24 of the Public Transport Act No.
Competition Act 1995 insert— 68/1995.
Reprint No. 1
"24A. Codes of practice as at
22 October

(1) For the purpose of providing practical guidance to accredited operators of road

1998 and

amending
transport passenger services and any other Act Nos
6/1999,
person who may be placed under an 45/1999 and
obligation by or under this Part, the Minister 62/2001. LawToday:

may approve one or more codes of practice. (2) A code of practice—


dpc.vic.

gov.au
(a) may consist of any code, standard, rule, specification or provision relating to any aspect of the provision or operation of road transport passenger services; and
(b) may apply, incorporate or refer to any document formulated or published by any body or authority as in force at the
time the code of practice is approved,
or as amended, formulated or published
from time to time.

(3) The approval of a code of practice takes effect on the day on which notice of the approval is published in the Government Gazette, or on any later day specified in the

notice.

(4) The Minister may—

(a)

approve any revision of the whole, or any part, of an approved code of practice;

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

s. 19 Part 4—Amendments to the Public Transport Competition Act 1995
(b) revoke the approval of a code of practice.

(5) The approval of a revision to an approved code of practice takes effect on the day on which notice of the approval of the revision

is published in the Government Gazette, or
on any later day specified in the notice.

(6) The approval of an approved code of practice ceases to be of effect at the end of the day on which notice of the revocation of the

(7) The Minister must cause—

approval is published in the Government notice.

(a)

a current copy of every approved code of practice; and

(b)

a copy of every document applied, incorporated or referred to in an approved code of practice (in the form in which that document has effect in the code of practice)—

to be made available for inspection by
members of the public without charge at the
office of the Secretary during normal office
hours.

(8) A person is not liable to any civil or criminal proceedings by reason only that he, she or it has failed to observe any provision of an

approved code of practice.

24B. Use of codes of practice in proceedings

(1) This section applies if it is alleged in any proceedings under this Act that a person contravened or failed to comply with a

provision of this Act or the regulations in
relation to which an approved code of

Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

Part 4—Amendments to the Public Transport Competition Act 1995 s. 20

practice provided guidance at the time of the
alleged contravention or failure.

(2) The approved code of practice is admissible in evidence in the proceedings.

(3) If the court is satisfied, in relation to any

matter that it is necessary for the prosecution
to prove in order to establish the alleged
contravention or failure, that—

(a) any provision of the approved code of practice is relevant to that matter; and
(b) the person failed at any material time to observe that provision of the approved code of practice—

that matter is to be taken as proved unless the court is satisfied that in respect of that matter the person complied with that provision of

this Act or the regulations otherwise than by
way of observance of that provision of the

approved code of practice.".

20. Other amendments

In the Public Transport Competition Act

1995—

(a)

in section 3(1), the definition of "disqualifying offence" is repealed;

(b)

sections 9(2), 9(3), 31, 32 and 33 are repealed.

═══════════════
Transport (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2003

Act No. 34/2003

Endnotes

ENDNOTES

Minister's second reading speech—

Legislative Assembly: 9 April 2003

Legislative Council: 8 May 2003

The long title for the Bill for this Act was "to amend the Transport Act
1983, the Rail Corporations Act 1996 and the Public Transport
Competition Act 1995 and for other purposes."

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