Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 57/00 –Special Requirements for L-Group Vehicles) 2006 Amendment 1

Made under section 7 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989

Explanatory Statement

Issued by the authority of the Minister for Territories, Local Government and Major Projects

November 2015

Contents

1. Legislative context

2. content and effect of ADR 57/00 AND THE AMENDMENT

2.1. Overview of the ADR

2.2. Effect of the ADR Amendment

3. best practice regulation

3.1. Business Cost Calculator

3.2. General Consultation Arrangements

3.3. Specific Consultation Arrangements for this Vehicle Standard

3.4. Regulation Impact Statement

4. STATEMENT OF COMPATIBILITY WITH HUMAN RIGHTS

4.1. Overview of the Legislative Instrument

4.2. Human Rights Implications

4.3. Conclusion

1.                       Legislative context

Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 57/00 – Special Requirements for L-Group Vehicles) 2006 Amendment 1 is made under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (the Act).  The Act enables the Australian Government to establish nationally uniform standards that apply to new road vehicles when they are first supplied to the market in Australia.  The Act applies to such vehicles whether they are manufactured in Australia or imported.

The making of the vehicle standards necessary for the Act's effective operation is provided for in section 7 which empowers the Minister to "determine vehicle standards for road vehicles or vehicle components".

Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 57/00 –Special Requirements for L-Group Vehicles) 2006 was originally determined in 2006.

2.                       content and effect of ADR 57/00 AND THE AMENDMENT

2.1.                 Overview of the ADR

The function of Australian Design Rule (ADR) 57/00 is to specify requirements for mopeds, motorcycles and motor trikes. These requirements cover side cars, steering gear and handlebar width, operation and location of controls, visual indicators, display identification, transmission, electrical generators, foot rests, stands and chain guards.

2.2.                 Effect of the ADR Amendment

This amendment will increase the maximum width of handlebars allowable for motorcycles (LC and LD sub-category vehicles) from 900 mm (450 mm on each side of the centreline of the vehicle) to 1100 mm (550 mm on each side of the centreline of the vehicle).  The amendment was requested by the industry to reduce regulatory burden as some manufacturers that supply vehicles to other markets need to modify or fit narrow handlebars to the same vehicles before they enter the Australian market.

This amendment is minor in nature.  It will remove a cost impost on some motorcycle manufacturers and consumers, without reducing safety.

3.                       best practice regulation

3.1.                 Business Cost Calculator

It is estimated that this amendment will provide savings of $1.83million a year.

3.2.                 General Consultation Arrangements

It has been longstanding practice to consult widely on proposed new or amended vehicle standards.  For many years there has been active collaboration between the Federal and the state/territory governments, as well as consultation with industry and consumer groups.  Much of the consultation takes place within institutional arrangements established for this purpose.  The analysis and documentation prepared in a particular case, and the bodies consulted, depend on the degree of impact the new or amended standard is expected to have on industry or road users.

Depending on the nature of the proposed changes, consultation could involve the Strategic Vehicle Safety and Environment Group (SVSEG), Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board (AMVCB), Technical Liaison Group (TLG), Transport and Infrastructure Senior Officials’ Committee (TISOC) and the Transport and Infrastructure Council (the Council).

• SVSEG consists of senior representatives of government agencies (Australian and state/territory), the National Transport Commission and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, the manufacturing and operational arms of the industry (including organisations such as the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and the Australian Trucking Association) and of representative organisations of consumers and road users (particularly through the Australian Automobile Association).
• AMVCB consists of technical representatives of government regulatory authorities (Australian and state/territory) that deal with ADR and other general vehicle issues, and the National Transport Commission and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.
• TLG consists of technical representatives of government agencies (Australian and state/territory), the National Transport Commission and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, the manufacturing and operational arms of the industry and of representative organisations of consumers and road users (the same organisations as represented in SVSEG).
• TISOC consists of state and territory transport and/or infrastructure Chief Executive Officers (CEO) (or equivalents), the CEO of the National Transport Commission, New Zealand and the Australian Local Government Association.
• The Council consists of the Australian, state/territory and New Zealand Ministers with responsibility for transport and infrastructure issues.

Editorial changes and changes to correct errors are processed by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development.  This approach is only used where the amendments do not vary the intent of the vehicle standard.

Proposals that are regarded as significant need to be supported by a Regulation Impact Statement meeting the requirements of the Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) as published in the Australian Government Guide to Regulation and the Council of Australian Government’s Best Practice Regulation: A Guide for Ministerial Councils and Standard-Setting Bodies.

3.3.                 Specific Consultation Arrangements for this Vehicle Standard

The proposal for amendment to ADR 57/00 was provided to and subsequently agreed in-principle by AMVCB and TLG members in March 2014 and by SVSEG members in May 2014.  Following full consideration of technical issues and more detailed consultation, the proposal was finally agreed in March 2015.

As the amendment is minor in nature, and does not increase the stringency of the ADR, there is no need for further consultation through TISOC, The Council, or the public comment process.

3.4.                 Regulation Impact Statement

As the proposed amendment does not increase the stringency of the ADR, a Regulation Impact Statement is not required.

Since the decision is made by the Minister for Territories, Local Government and Major Projects without reference to the Council and the proposal is not considered significant, the Office of Best Practice Regulation requirements have been met for this regulatory proposal (OBPR Reference ID 17321).

4.                       STATEMENT OF COMPATIBILITY WITH HUMAN RIGHTS

The following Statement is prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

4.1.                 Overview of the Legislative Instrument

This amendment will increase the maximum width allowable for handlebars on motorcycles. 

4.2.                 Human Rights Implications

This amendment to ADR 57/00 does not engage any of the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

4.3.                 Conclusion

This amendment to ADR 57/00 is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues.