Harmonising Australian Dangerous Goods Legislation

In the early 90's Transport Ministers agreed that a national process should be established to develop nationally uniform dangerous goods transport legislation. Although the Dangerous Goods Code was adopted under each State and Territory's dangerous goods legislation, this legislation varied widely in the duties and obligations placed on persons handling dangerous goods. There was also no mechanism for mutual recognition of decisions made by the State and Territory Competent Authorities.

The reform of dangerous goods legislation was placed on the Road Transport Reform agenda and included in the key reforms of the National Competition Policy. The National Road Transport Commission, in consultation with this Department, ACTDG, regulatory authorities and industry produced model legislation which could be adopted into State and Territory law.

In 1995, the Australian Government made the Road Transport Reform (Dangerous Goods) Act 1995 followed closely by the Road Transport Reform (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 1997. This legislation has been referenced or mirrored by all States and provides a consistent national approach. Copies of State and Territory legislation may be accessed at http://www.austlii.edu.au/databases.html

Industry now has the same rules applying to the transport of dangerous goods around Australia as well as a mechanism for mutual recognition of individual State and Territory Competent Authority decisions.

Explosives Act and Regulations

The Department of Defence is responsible for the maintenance of the Explosives Act 1961 and the Explosives Transport Regulations 2002. This legislation regulates the transport, storage and handling of federal explosives ordnance. The day to day administration of this legislation has been delegated by the Minister for Defence to the Support Commander Australia, who is the Competent Authority for explosives ordnance. (For further information contact: Mr Tony Robson (02) 6266 4498)