2008

THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE 
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

ROAD TRANSPORT LEGISLATION AMENDMENT REGULATION 2008 (No 1)

SUBORDINATE LAW SL2008-30

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Presented by
Mr John Hargreaves MLA
Minister for Territory and Municipal Services

OVERVIEW

This regulation amends provisions in the Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Regulation 2000 and the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2000 dealing with renewal notices for driver licences and vehicle registration respectively.  The regulations are made under section 26 of the Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Act 1999 and section 13 of the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999.

The regulations will allow the Road Transport Authority (RTA) to include information or material in renewal notices for driver licences and vehicle registration, if the RTA is satisfied on reasonable grounds that it would be in the public interest to do so.  For example, the new power may be used by the Road Transport Authority to provide road users with information about new traffic laws and road safety initiatives, or to include other materials that may be relevant to road users in the ACT.  The inclusion of this type of material with renewal notices can help to reduce the financial and environmental costs of public information campaigns and other initiatives. 

CLAUSE NOTES

Part 1		Preliminary

Clause 1	Name of Regulation
This clause is a formal provision to set out the name of the regulation.

Clause 2	Commencement
This clause is a formal provision that sets the commencement of the regulation, which will be the day after notification on the Legislation Registration day.

Part 2		Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Regulation 2000

Clause 3	Legislation amended - pt 2
This clause explains that the amendments in this part of the regulation apply to the Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Regulation 2000.

Clause 4	New section 84 (3)
This clause inserts a new subsection into section 84, which deals with renewal notices for driver licences.  The new subsection allows the RTA to include material or information that is not directly related to driver licences with renewal notices.  In order to ensure that this power is not used to send commercial advertising or other “junk mail” to driver licence holders, the RTA must be satisfied on reasonable grounds that it is in the public interest to include the information or material.  The example provided explains that the RTA could include information or material that is part of a public awareness campaign on a health or safety issue.

Part 3		Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2000

Clause 5	Legislation amended - pt 3
This clause explains that the amendments in this part of the regulation apply to the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2000.

Clause 6	New section 67 (4)
This clause inserts a new subsection into section 67, which deals with renewal notices for vehicle registration.  The new subsection allows the RTA to include material or information that is not directly related to vehicle registration with renewal notices.  In order to ensure that this power is not used to send commercial advertising or other “junk mail” to vehicle owners, the RTA must be satisfied on reasonable grounds that it is in the public interest to include the information or material.