Wallace persuaded the legislature to repeal the previous act and replace it, on 4 August 1853, with one requiring a gauge of  – the current standard gauge. (Unfortunately for Australia, the legislation requiring the broad gauge had been noted in the colonies of Victoria and South Australia and some rolling stock ordered.)
Wallace persuaded the legislature to abolish the existing law and enact a new one on 4 August 1853, stipulating the current standard gauge. Regrettably for Australia, the need for the broad gauge had been acknowledged in Victoria and South Australia prior to this legislation, resulting in the acquisition of rolling stock.