Release of the policy paper follows three months of public consultation on the NGERS Regulations Discussion Paper, released in October 2007. Throughout this time the ATA and its members engaged with the Government primarily in order to resolve operational issues relating to the definition of the terms facilities and operational control that, if left unresolved, would create significant uncertainty and compliance burdens for the trucking industry.

Some positive outcomes of industry consultation, in terms of achieving a workable and simpler reporting framework, have been achieved. The proposal seeks, however, to significantly and immediately increase the reporting burden on businesses in the trucking industry.