Mr TUCKEY (Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government) (9:14 AM) —I move:

This bill is an adjunct—a cognate bill—to the National Transport Commission Bill 2003.

The National Transport Commission (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2003 has two main objectives.

Firstly, the bill provides for consequential amendments to other Commonwealth acts as a result of the repeal of the National Road Transport Commission Act 1991 and the commencement of the National Transport Commission Act 2003.

Secondly, it puts in place arrangements for a smooth transition from the National Road Transport Commission to the National Transport Commission. These arrangements cover assets and liabilities, and annual reporting requirements.

This bill, together with the National Transport Commission Bill 2003, provides for the establishment of the National Transport Commission—a body to replace the existing National Road Transport Commission. The new statutory body will build on the success of the former commission by continuing to progress road transport regulatory reforms with an increased emphasis on reform maintenance.

In addition, in response to the needs of an industry operating within an increasingly integrated transport environment, the work of the commission will also include regulatory reform of rail and intermodal operations. The new commission, like its predecessor, will facilitate development of national reforms in close consultation with the Commonwealth, states and territories, industry and other stakeholders.

I present a signed copy of the explanatory memorandum and commend the bill to the House.

Debate (on motion by Mr Cox) adjourned.