ATC's decision making processes involve both a consensus model for general issues, and a voting model (prescribed in the National Transport Commission Act) for National Transport Commission (NTC) issues. The NTC is an independent statutory body that develops regulatory reform recommendations for ATC's consideration.
Vision
The ATC Ministers hold the vision that Australia requires a safe, secure, efficient, reliable and integrated national Transport system that supports and enhances our nation's economic development and social and environmental well-being.
Objectives
To achieve this vision the ATC commits to the following policy objectives:-
Economic
To promote the efficient movement of people and goods in order to support sustainable economic development and prosperity.
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Safety
To provide a safe transport system that meets Australia's mobility, social and economic objectives with maximum safety for its user.
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Social
To promote social inclusion by connecting remote and disadvantaged communities and increasing accessibility to the transport network for all Australians.
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Environmental
To protect our environment and improve health by building and investing transport systems that minimise emissions and consumption of resources and energy.
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Integration
To promote effective and efficient integration and linkage of Australia's transport system with urban and regional planning at every level of government and with international transport systems.
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Transparency
Transparency in funding and charging to provide equitable access to the transport system, through clearly identified means where full cost recovery is not applied.
Composition
ATC comprises Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand Ministers responsible for transport, roads and marine and ports issues. The Papua-New Guinea Minister responsible for transport matters and the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) have formal "observer" status on the Council.
Organisation Chart
Chairing Arrangements
Chairing responsibility resides with the Commonwealth.
Frequency of Meetings
ATC meetings are generally held bi-annually with venues rotating among the States, Territories and New Zealand.
Associated Meetings of Officials
The ATC's work program is supported by transport agency chief executives, who meet as the Standing Committee on Transport (SCOT). In carrying out its responsibilities, the SCOT:
- provides policy advice, as necessary, to the ATC;
- coordinates and supervises the work of six Standing Sub-Committees (SSCs), who undertake work across a range of outcomes areas. These Committees are
- Productivity and Efficiency SSC;
- Environment SSC;
- Safety SSC;
- Network Performance SSC;
- Security SSC; and
- Australian Maritime Group (Maritime SSC).
- provides the Chair(s) of each of the agreed SSCs. Secretariat support for each SSC is provided by the Chair's(s') jurisdiction(s) unless otherwise agreed;
- monitors the reporting of all SSCs;
- manages and coordinates jurisdictions funding contributions to any nationally agreed projects/initiatives involving such arrangements; and
- meets in advance of each ATC meeting to preview agenda items; agrees wording of recommendations; carries out follow-up actions (arising from previous meetings); and monitors collaborative activities across systems/jurisdictions.
SCOT also shares information and makes administrative decisions not requiring Ministerial involvement, and as an "executive board" is responsible for:
- ensuring that Ministerial priorities are implemented;
- advising on a focused agenda in which Ministers can invest their time to maximum value;
- identifying the strategic drivers impacting on transport systems in Australia and whether (and what) national approaches can create measurable improvement; and
- resolving at a policy and strategy level those issues that need to be dealt with nationally (including those that impact on funding, ownership, and/or regulatory dimensions of members' responsibilities).
Secretariat Arrangements
The Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure and Transport provides secretariat support for ATC and its structure. The contact is:
Secretary
Australian Transport Council
GPO Box 594
CANBERRA ACT 2601
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