Communiqués
Australian Transport Council
19 November 2004, Brisbane
Australian, state and territory transport ministers met in Brisbane on Friday 19 November to consider a range of important transport issues.
Transport security
The Council is encouraged by the progress of jurisdictions in relation to various transport security initiatives. It was acknowledged that it is necessary to build on this progress, particularly for those parts of the transport sector identified as carrying a higher risk of being the target of terrorist activities.
The Council noted that a number of jurisdictions are moving quickly to strengthen surface transport security, such as ongoing improvements to rail security in New South Wales and in Victoria.
The Council also noted progress on development of an Intergovernmental Agreement on Surface Transport Security. The Agreement, which sets out the roles and responsibilities of jurisdictions in relation to surface transport security, will strengthen security policy and planning for surface transport and provide a framework for future work in this area.
Ministers agreed that the National Transport Commission, working within the whole of government National Counter Terrorism arrangements, develop a nationally consistent approach for the security regulation of dangerous goods, through the development of model legislation for consideration by state and territory jurisdictions. The Commission will be supported by the Department of Transport and Regional Services in conducting this task.
National road safety initiatives
Ministers approved the National Road Safety Action Plan for 2005 and 2006, which will take effect from 1 January 2005. The new two-year Plan lays out a clear set of priorities for national road safety and highlights the Safe System concept as an overarching framework. Key action items are listed in the areas of: safer roads and roadsides, safer speeds, safer vehicles, safer road users and other supporting measures.
A road safety forum focussing on the safety of young drivers will be held in Canberra on 15 December 2004. The forum will be chaired by The Hon John Anderson and attended by The Hon Jim Lloyd, state and territory ministers with road safety responsibilities and experts on road safety issues.
Ministers also agreed to revised Terms of Reference for the National Road Safety Strategy Panel, to take account of recent structural changes to Austroads.
AusLink
Ministers noted that the Australian Government had set out its approach to the first five year plan under AusLink and that it is intended to move to new decision making processes in relation to land transport infrastructure planning, project identification, project selection and funding.
Ministers noted the priority with which the Australian Government intends to implement the Plan and its preferred implementation mechanism, which involves the development of a series of bilateral partnership agreements with individual jurisdictions. Ministers noted that further work will be done on matters that may be addressed through a multilateral partnership agreement, and that officials should continue to work on issues raised in the bilateral agreements. These agreements are intended to be signed at Ministerial level. There was agreement by Ministers to work cooperatively to ensure the timely delivery of AusLink projects onto the National Network, as well as other high priority regional and strategic land transport infrastructure projects.
Ministers agreed that the impact of the application of the Australian Government's National Construction Industry Code and Guidelines need to be addressed by workplace relations Ministers and, as necessary, heads of government.
Ministers noted that new AusLink legislation has been drafted and is expected to be introduced into Parliament in the first week of December 2004. It was also noted that planning for future investment under AusLink would commence through a series of corridor strategies jointly agreed and developed between the Australian Government and each state and territory.
Ministers also agreed to the establishment of an inter-jurisdictional working group to drive a work program on select strategic transport issues. The working group will be jointly resourced by Australian, state and territory governments. Some of the key issues to be considered include: urban congestion management.
Rail
Ministers endorsed moves to accelerate the development of model safety legislation for rail. Ministers also endorsed a revised safety accreditation package designed to streamline the accreditation of rail industry operators in all jurisdictions through more consistent guidance and the application of processes for risk and safety management systems. Ministers agreed that rail reform was a major priority given the growing national freight task and ATC's commitment to improved rail safety.
Compulsory comprehensive insurance in the heavy vehicle industry
In considering the recent Mooney Mooney heavy vehicle accident, Ministers noted that the current arrangements covering compulsory insurance was limited to third party personal injury insurance and not damage to property. Council agreed to establish a Working Group, with the New South Wales Roads and Traffic Authority as the lead agency, to consider this issue further and report back to the next meeting.
National identification of heavy vehicles
The Mooney Mooney Bridge heavy vehicle accident has also highlighted the need for jurisdictions to be certain of the registration status of heavy vehicles when enforcing rules and legislation. This issue is made more complex by the proliferation of numbers and letters on number plates and the lack of uniformity. Council have asked Austroads to urgently examine the issue of a national vehicle number plate syntax and electronic tracking, authentication and identification of vehicles.
Australian design rules
The Council agreed to examine options to enable the automatic adoption within Australia of European design standards relating to vehicle and passenger safety.
Limiting the maximum speed displayed on speedometers
The Council referred the issue of limiting the maximum speed displayed on speedometers to the NTC for consideration. The Northern Territory did not support this proposal.
Road workers'health issues
Council noted health related concerns of road workers engaged in bituminous road surfacing operations and considered that a national approach to researching the issue is desirable.
Ministers agreed that the Workplace Relations Ministers Council be asked to support the addition of this issue on the work plan of the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission.
National Transport Commission (NTC) 3-year strategic plan, 2005/06 work program and budget
Ministers approved the Strategic Plan and Work program, which sets out the proposed directions for the land transport regulatory reform program, and details the work intended for the next year. A budget of $7.164 million to support the Work program was also approved by Council.
Council also noted the Action Plan of the Land Transport Environment Committee, comprising the NTC and the National Environment Protection Council, to progress issues relating to road and rail vehicle noise and emissions.
National rail regulatory reform program
Council approved the development of national model rail safety legislation. This included the broad policy directions and timeframe for ATC approval of model legislation by the end of 2005. Ministers noted that a Directions Paper setting out a recommended regulatory framework for rail safety legislation would soon be released for public consultation. It is anticipated that substantive policy recommendations will be presented to ATC at its next meeting.
National Transport Commission (NTC) implementation status report and third heavy vehicle reform package
Ministers noted the progress made with implementation of road transport reforms from the initial Reform Modules, and completed reforms from the First, Second and Third Heavy Vehicle Reform Packages.
Maritime issues
Ballast Water Convention
Council agreed to Australia signing the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (the Ballast Water Convention), subject to ratification, noting that Australia has taken a lead role in the development of the Convention.
The Convention sets out provisions for the control and management of ships' ballast water to prevent the transfer of marine pests through ballast water.
The National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pest Incursions
Council indicated its support for the National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pest Incursions and notes that the Australian Maritime Group will continue to work closely with the Marine and Coastal Committee and seek input from industry and port authorities in the further development of the National System.
Council agreed in-principle to an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA), which will be presented for signing by members of the Natural Resources Management Ministerial Council, as a basis to further develop a long term response. Council noted that further development of the National System is being progressed through collaboration across jurisdictions, in particular how a single interface with ports and shipping operators will work.
Guidelines for the Auditing of Registered Training Organisations
Council endorsed the National Marine Guidance Manual's Guidelines for Auditing Registered Training Organisations (RTO's) for implementation by the various Marine Authorities around Australia.
National Standard for Commercial Vessels
Council endorsed a National Standard for Commercial Vessels - NSCV Part C Section 4 - Fire Safety (and its associated Regulatory Impact Statement), for publication and for uniform adoption and implementation by Australia's marine authorities.
Council also endorsed a new National Standard for Commercial Vessels - NSCV Part E (Operational Practices) for publication and implementation by the various Marine Authorities around Australia.
Next meeting
The next ATC meeting is scheduled to be held in the Northern Territory on 3 June 2005.
This ATC meeting was attended by:
- The Hon J (John) Anderson MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services
- The Hon J (Jim) Lloyd MP Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads
- The Hon P (Paul) Lucas MLA Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads
- The Hon M (Michael) Costa MLC New South Wales Minister for Transport Services
- The Hon P (Carl) Scully MLA New South Wales Minister for Roads
- The Hon P (Peter) Batchelor (MLA Victorian Minister for Transport
- The Hon B (Bryan) Green MHA Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure, Energy and Resources
- The Hon Dr C (Chris) Burns MHA Northern Territory Minister for Transport and Infrastructure
- Cr P (Paul) Bell Vice-President, Australian Local Government Association
