Media Release
25 July
Ministers agree to Modernise the Nation's Transport Sector
The nation's transport ministers have taken another important step towards modernising the Federation, helping to create a seamless national economy and reducing the cost of doing business.
We are determined to improve the way we as a nation regulate our vital maritime, rail and trucking industries.
Meeting for the third time this year, the nation's transport ministers have agreed to recommend to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) that subject to the outcomes of regulatory impact assessments, it give its in-principle support for the establishment of:
- A National Road Safety Council - a practical response to statistics showing that the national road toll has changed little since 2003;
- A single national system of heavy vehicle regulation and the adoption of a consistent approach to heavy vehicle driver licensing; and
- A single national system of maritime safety regulation administered by the existing Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). At present in Australia, there are more than 50 pieces of legislation and subordinate legislative instruments pertaining to maritime safety along with eight independent maritime safety agencies.
These recommendations will be put to COAG in October.
The Australian Transport Council (ATC) has also agreed to progress work on establishing a single national rail safety regulator and investigator.
These long overdue, commonsense reforms would free the $46 billion transport sector from complex and inconsistent government regulations, allowing it can get on with the job of moving people and freight around the country.
Click here to view communique
Media Inquiries: Jeff Singleton (Mr Albanese's Office) 0410 476 890