Jules Schiller:
Let’s talk e‑bikes and e‑scooter regulations. We’ve talked a lot about state level regulations but the federal government is also getting involved as well Rory.
Rory McClaren:
You’re joined now by Andrew Leigh. He’s the Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, Andrew Leigh, welcome.
Andrew Leigh:
G’day, Jules. G’day, Rory. A hard act to follow there coming off the back of Jimmy Barnes.
Schiller:
And corned beef! That’s right.
Leigh:
Absolutely!
McClaren:
What are you looking to do as a federal government in this space and what move will happen and how quickly will it be in place?
Leigh:
Well, plenty of Australians have gotten the benefits of e‑bikes and are out there on the streets keeping themselves fit and reducing congestion. But we’re also seeing this rise in these high‑powered, unsafe e‑bikes. And so what the federal government’s announced today is that we will task the competition watchdog, the ACCC, to develop a national safety standard and that will ensure that people aren’t able to sell these overpowered, easily modified bikes, keep Australians safer, but also have the benefits of getting e‑bikes out on the road.
McClaren:
So, when it comes to enforcement of this, Andrew Leigh, how do you see it working?
Leigh:
Well, the federal government’s got responsibility with the states and territories for consumer affairs in terms of what’s sold. And then states and territories have already agreed to adopt an international standard around what can be ridden on the road. So, we’ve got that work that Transport Ministers have done, which is around whether people get stopped by the police basically. That’s already in place. And now this is doing the consumer affairs bit of it. Consumer Affairs Ministers met in Darwin last week. We had a good conversation. There was real concern right across the country. So we need to act just to get those unsafe bikes off the streets.
Schiller:
What about, you know, uniform speed limits for these bikes, you know, around the states, Andrew?
Leigh:
Yeah, so the Transport Ministers’ standard sets a 25 kilometre an hour speed limit and 250 watt limit in terms of power. So, that does set those limits which are now being enforced by states and territories through their domestic laws. What we’re looking to do is to now set a standard which applies to what can be bought, not only in terms of power and speed, but also modifications because some of these bikes, you know, they ostensibly are slow but then a couple of flicks of the switch and you can make them too fast.
McClaren:
Has any consideration been given to how to potentially regulate a black market that will emerge? We know these bikes are already in the country. You’re looking to increase the regulation – set a national standard. So what do you do about any potential black market that will emerge as a result of these changes?
Leigh:
Well, there’s significant fines in place for retailers that sell items that are not permitted under Australian Consumer Law. The competition watchdog has its regulatory powers. The states and territories are also enabled to go after that misbehaviour. So, one of the reasons we got together in Darwin and had this conversation is to make sure that those 9 regulators are able to work together to really crack down on e‑bikes that aren’t legal after the new safety standard comes in.
Schiller:
And Dr Andrew Leigh, we’ve had a lot of questions about the Census this morning. People haven’t received their forms, people who aren’t aware of it occurring on Tuesday night. Are you happy that everything that needs to be done has been done?
Leigh:
Well, the Census is the biggest peacetime logistics operation that Australia runs. It is a massive operation and the ABS is doing a power of work in getting the information out there. You can go to abs.gov.au in order to get any more information you need, whether that’s not having received a Census form or if you’re concerned about some of the misinformation that’s been floating around. The ABS is doing careful work, both through the myGov app, where some people will have signed up for notifications and also in making sure those forms are getting out to households.
Schiller:
So all the letters will be delivered by Tuesday?
Leigh:
Look, the ABS has been working assiduously on that and getting those letters out. Many people will have received them already, and I guess one useful thing for your listeners to know is that people can do the Census now. If you know where you’re going to be on Tuesday night, you can do it ahead of time. That helps others because it just takes a bit of pressure off the IT systems on Census night.
Schiller:
Alright. Dr Andrew Leigh is Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury. Thank you for your company.
Leigh:
Thanks so much. I’m always happy to be Barnsey’s back‑up act.
Schiller:
Yeah. Well, no he’s your support act – you came on last!
Leigh:
I don’t think I’d be arguing that to anyone! Thanks so much.
Schiller:
Thank you Dr Leigh.