Joint communiqué
Australian Transport Council
3 June 2005, Alice Springs
Australian, state and territory transport ministers met in Alice Springs on Friday 3 June to consider a range of important transport issues.
National rail safety regulation reform
Ministers considered and agreed in principle to a range of policy reform objectives for nationally agreed model rail safety legislation. The policy proposals will provide for the first time, the basis for a nationally consistent approach to rail safety regulation across Australia.
Ministers will formally consider and vote on the draft Model Rail Safety Bill in August this year, with detailed regulations to support the legislation to be completed for Ministerial consideration and agreement in November 2005.
The Council noted the historic milestone that these reforms present in terms of improving the overall safety and efficiency performance of the national railway system.
The Council acknowledged the significant effort and contributions from industry, governments and the National Transport Commission (NTC) in working in a partnership to develop this policy framework in a tight timeframe.
Ministers noted a number of important regulatory issues raised by the Special Commission of Inquiry into Waterfall, and requested that the NTC report back in November 2005 on which of these issues might form part of the ongoing national rail regulatory reform program.
Ministers welcomed a report on current and future proposals for investment in research and development by the rail industry through the Rail Cooperative Research Centre (CRC). Ministers noted that R&D investment is critical to improving rail's performance and competitive contribution to Australia's economy. Ministers agreed to support a future CRC application subject to it being a truly national approach and one that was fully supported by the rail industry through the Australasian Railway Association.
Emergency towage
Ministers agreed in-principle to the introduction of a national approach to maritime emergency towage around the Australian coastline. The national approach, to involve an integrated package of measures to ensure a minimum level of emergency towage coverage in strategic regions around the Australian coastline and to provide an appropriate regulatory framework, will be finalised later in 2005 following completion of a regulatory impact statement. The approach will include a vessel for the northern section of the Great Barrier Reef and the Torres Strait, which currently has no port-based emergency towage services.
Auslink
The Council discussed progress with the implementation of AusLink. Ministers agreed to give priority attention to the finalisation of bilateral partnership agreements between the Australian Government and the states and territories to enable funding to flow in 2005-06. To assist in addressing concerns on industrial relations issues the Australian Government agreed to circulate some jurisdictions information on the National Code of Practice.
Ministers noted that the AusLink legislation had been the subject of an inquiry by the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee and that the Committee had recommended that the legislation be passed.
Ministers also noted that work had commenced on development, by the Australian Government and relevant State Government agencies, of an initial series of corridor strategies to assist in planning and investment under AusLink.
Ministers also agreed to work together on options for a national approach to planning, competition and economic regulation of export ports consistent with the COAG outcomes and AusLink.
School bus safety
Ministers discussed continuing community concern relating to the safety of school bus travel.
Ministers noted that research and development work into school bus safety in Queensland has led to the development of a risk-based approach which provides a technique for classifying school bus routes according to the environment, geographical, and road and traffic attributes.
Ministers requested that the Australian Passenger Transport Group develop voluntary national guidelines for risk assessment of school bus routes for Council's consideration in November 2005. Ministers also asked that the Australian Passenger Transport Group, as part of this process, assess the requirement for Australian Design Rules to be developed to support this outcome.
National road safety strategy
Ministers noted the significant progress achieved in reducing the national road fatality rate. As at April 2005, the fatality rate per 100,000 people was 7.8 compared with a pro rata rate of 7.5 required to meet the National Road Safety Strategy target of no more than 5.6 deaths per 100,000 people by 2010. While noting that outcomes were broadly on track to meeting the 2010 target, Ministers urged that concerted efforts continue to be made in accordance with the current Action Plan to further reduce the huge impact of road crashes on the Australian community.
Ministers agreed that the next review of the National Road Safety Strategy would be in 2006 when the National Road Safety Strategy Action Plan for 2007 and 2008 is developed.
Review of Australian Design Rule (adr) processes
Ministers discussed a range of options for more timely processes for the development and approval of Australian Design Rules (ADRs).
Ministers agreed that non-contentious proposals for new and updated ADRs that are harmonised with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Regulations be streamlined by moving straight to gazettal following appropriate technical consideration.
Ministers also agreed that a broader range of approaches for addressing vehicle safety issues be examined with a view to developing a National Vehicle Safety Strategy.
Ministers further agreed that senior government and industry officials should separately examine industry issues in relation to ADRs and other vehicle safety measures.
Novice driver education trial
Ministers noted progress in implementing the trial in New South Wales and Victoria. About 7,000 P-plate drivers in each State with about three months of driving experience will undertake the course. A control group in each state will be made up of a similar number of P-plate drivers. After a pilot phase, the course will commence during the latter part of this year and will run for the following 12 months. Final evaluation results are expected in early 2008 with provision for interim reports to become available based on progressively available data from the end of 2006.
Particular emphasis is being placed on the development of the best possible curriculum which is being prepared with the assistance of a group of Australian and international experts. All Ministers shared the goal of a curriculum to improve P-plate driver safety.
Ministers noted that the Australian Government has increased its contribution to the Novice Driver Education Trial to be implemented in New South Wales and Victoria from $1 million to $3 million.
Ministers agreed on the need to work towards harmonisation of national standards in this area expressing particular interest in the Australian Capital Territory's "Road Ready Plus (P-Off)" Program.
Vehicle advertising
Ministers noted that while there have been improvements in vehicle advertising since the introduction of the revised FCAI Voluntary Code of Practice for Motor Vehicle Advertising in July 2004, road safety agencies still have some concerns about the management of compliance with the Code. Ministers agreed that a full review of compliance with the Code, after it has been in operation for 12 months, will be considered at the next ATC meeting.
Australian Design Rules (ADRs) for cabin strength and front underrun protection
Council provided in-principle endorsement to fast-track the introduction of improved cabin strength and front underrun protection as part of a package of measures that would include increased front axle mass for heavy vehicles fitted with these safety systems. Ministers noted that the package would include consideration of any additional pavement and bridge wear, and the potential for cost recovery from heavy vehicle charges.
Progress made with implementation of road transport reforms
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.
Heavy vehicle road pricing indexation
Ministers considered advice about annual adjustments to heavy vehicle registrations. Council noted the recommendation that no change be made to the current approach at this time, as it is being reviewed as part of the Third Heavy Vehicle Charges Determination being developed by the National Transport Commission (NTC) and due to be implemented in 2006.
Security sensitive hazardous material
The Council noted that the model legislation for the transport of security sensitive hazardous materials will form a key component of the COAG Review of Hazardous Materials, and will give primary attention to the list of substances identified as part of the Review.
The Council noted that as a consequence, the Department of Transport and Regional Services and the National Transport Commission will aim to submit the model legislation to COAG along with the final recommendations of the COAG Review.
Australian shipping policy
Minister Anderson reaffirmed the Australian Government's shipping policy. Western Australian Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Hon Alannah MacTiernan, again argued the need for more Australian Government support for the Australian shipping industry.
Development on airport land
The Council agreed that the Standing Committee on Transport would report to the next ATC meeting on non-aviation development on Commonwealth airport land.
Trucking industry safety initiatives
Ministers noted a Queensland proposal on the possible application of demerit point penalties to certain fatigue related offences. Ministers discussed the establishment of a national workgroup to urgently consider the Queensland proposal including the use of GPS satellite technology to monitor fatigue offences as part of the Intelligent Transport Systems initiative. The workgroup is to report back to the Council in November 2005.
Better tyre safety
Ministers noted a Queensland paper on the safety concerns of having no mandatory requirement to supply a spare wheel when a motor vehicle is purchased and the legal implementations for repairers and insurers of the use of mismatched spare wheels. The lack of a spare tyre is of particular concern for vehicle operation in remote areas.
Ministers agreed to the referral of the Queensland issues paper to the Department of Transport and Regional Services for review of existing Australian Design Rule requirements and recommendations for further action.
Design rules for phone technology in all new cars
Ministers considered a Queensland paper on the appropriateness of introducing an Australian Design Rule requirement for the use of Bluetooth mobile phone technology mandatory for all new cars on Australian roads. Queensland indicated a national design rule has the potential to significantly improve road safety by enabling motorists to use mobile phones safely. Ministers agreed that the Queensland proposal be further investigated by the Department of Transport and Regional Services.
Next meeting
The next ATC meeting is scheduled to be held in Tasmania on 18 November 2005.
The ATC meeting was attended by:
- The Hon John Anderson MP Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services
- The Hon Jim Lloyd MP Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads
- The Hon John Watkins MLA New South Wales Minister Transport
- The Hon Michael Costa MLC New South Wales Minister for Roads and Economic Reform and Ports
- The Hon Peter Batchelor MLA Victorian Minister for Transport
- The Hon Paul Lucas MLA Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads
- The Hon Alannah MacTiernan MLA Western Australian Minister for Planning and Infrastructure
- The Hon Patrick Conlon South Australian Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Energy
- The Hon Bryan Green MHA Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure, Energy and Resources
- Mr John Hargreaves MLA Australian Capital Territory Minister for Urban Services
- The Hon Don Pombpolye MP Papua-New Guinea Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation
- The Hon Filupa Yawa MP Papua-New Guinea
- Ms Lindy Nelson-Carr MLA Parliamentary Secretary to the Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads
- Cr Bill Mitchell Australian Local Government Association
