Perhaps you've heard of Intermodal Competitive Neutrality. That is, any government-owned business cannot maintain an unfair competitive advantage over a privately owned business.
So while I agree there would be no need for (the majority of) heavy vehicles to be on our roads if we had an efficient rail transport network, heavy freight transport using state and federally-controlled roads will never be converted to rail due to the federal ICN policy. Which is a pity, especially when we have a PM who is constantly banging on about productivity and real-world competitiveness, yet who is in charge of a piece of legislation that effectively diminishes it. Oh that's right, he has the health system to fix will he ignores tax reform. Silly me...
So the reason behind the need for 'trials' such as this is not only for the government to be seen to be doing something (no matter what that 'something' is?) but also to help educate drivers of heavy vehicles, and road users generally, of basics like 'keep left' (which is enforceable i.e. revenue) and limit compression braking' (which isn't).
I mean, is it just me or does 'Straya seem to be catering (pandering?) more and more to the lowest common denominator? Anyhooo...
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