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Communiques - 15 November 1996

Transport Ministers of the Federal, State and Territory governments met in Darwin today as the Australian Transport Council (ATC), which incorporates the Ministerial Council for Road Transport (MCRT). The meeting was chaired by the Northern Territory Minister for Transport and Works, the Honourable Barry Coulter, MLA.

Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to national road transport reform which they said was crucial to Australia's economic productivity and competitiveness.

They encouraged jurisdictions and the National Road Transport Commission (NRTC) to develop further reform proposals for implementation up to and beyond the NRTC's legislative sunset of 15 January 1998. This includes the development of a second heavy vehicle reform package to deliver key reforms to the road transport industry in advance of formal legislation.

REVIEW OF MARITIME SAFETY REGULATION

Ministers announced their agreement to establish improved coordination arrangements for maritime safety regulation in Australia, aimed at reducing duplication, inconsistency and costs of regulation and improving safety outcomes. The arrangements will be implemented as soon as possible in the new year.

Ministers approved the establishment of a Steering Committee comprising the eight heads of maritime safety agencies to guide the review and development of consistent maritime safety standards, legislation, policies and practices. The Steering Committee will report to the Australian Transport Council through the Standing Committee on Transport (SCOT). It will be supported by a small full- time staff of professional officers based in New South Wales. These arrangements will operate on an interim basis for two years.

Ministers also agreed to a joint cost-sharing arrangement for the two-year period and asked SCOT to prepare an intergovernmental agreement covering the arrangements for consideration at the next ATC meeting.

WATERFRONT AND PORT REFORM

Ministers considered a Progress Report on Maritime Reform, which identified the reform of stevedoring and towage as potentially providing the greatest benefit for the trading community. Ministers noted that the Progress Report identified shipping reform and port authority reform as other priority issues.

Ministers noted that while progress had been made on improving overall productivity, more action was needed to further improve the Australian waterfront's international competitiveness.

Ministers agreed to forward the Progress Report to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) for information.

They also agreed that at their next meeting, they would examine the impact of all charges on the cost of moving goods through our ports.

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RAIL REFORM

Ministers noted that the Commonwealth is considering a number of rail reforms following a review of Australian National and National Rail. These reforms include the establishment of a national rail infrastructure authority and an interstate passenger service.

Ministers debated progress and noted the Commonwealth's expectation that it will be making the Commonwealth's proposed rail reform package available shortly. Ministers supported early action.

ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS

Ministers noted the Commonwealth's continuing intention to negotiate with States, the establishment of a national rail infrastructure authority to operate from 1 July 1997. This initiative is seen as critical to encouraging increased competitive use of rail as a mode of transport with significant potential benefits for the Australian economy.

Ministers agreed to meet early in the new year to develop access arrangements. Progress on these negotiations will be reported to the next ATC meeting.

INTERSTATE RAIL PASSENGER ARRANGEMENTS

Ministers noted the Commonwealth's intention to discuss with the States in the next few months the options for establishment of an interstate rail passenger authority, in the context of the Commonwealth's decisions regarding rail reform. Discussions on this matter were welcomed and Ministers noted the significant gains made in New Zealand from reform in their rail passenger operations.

PROGRESS REPORT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF OPTIONS FOR A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR THE TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS BY RAIL

Ministers agreed to the need to develop a uniform national dangerous goods regulatory regime for the rail transport sector. This regulatory regime would need to be aligned with the new road transport dangerous goods regulations in order to promote inter-modal harmony. These would implement the provisions of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code to road and rail which has been revised to adopt the latest international provisions.

Ministers noted that the Commonwealth is drafting model legislation for the rail sector to complement the NRTC proposals for road transport. Ministers agreed to consider these at the May 1997 meeting, with a view towards uniform implementation by the end of 1997.

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ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT

Draft Standards endorsed in principle by ATC at the last meeting have been referred to the Federal Attorney-General for the development of a Regulation Impact Statement (RIS).

Ministers noted the arrangements proposed to ensure that affected parties have the opportunity to contribute to the RIS and agreed that every opportunity should be taken to ensure the widest range of views is reflected in the RIS findings. The RIS is expected to be considered at ATC's first meeting in 1997.

ROADS IN THE COMMUNITY

Ministers noted the production by AUSTROADS of the series of reports "Roads in the Community" and endorsed their public release.

URBAN BUS COMPETITION

Ministers received a report on "Provisions of Competitive Entry into Urban Bus Markets" and endorsed it as a useful document for use by Transport departments and authorities.

REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL GREENHOUSE RESPONSE STRATEGY

Ministers reviewed progress on the transport elements of the COAG initiated review of the National Greenhouse Response Strategy (NGRS). Ministers agreed that a range of measures be discussed with industry as a basis for the transport component of the Response Strategy for inclusion in a draft revised NGRS to be released for public comment in March 1997. COAG will finalise a new NGRS in July 1997.

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NATIONAL EXCHANGE OF VEHICLE AND DRIVER INFORMATION SYSTEM (NEVDIS)

Ministers were pleased to announce that the initial phase of the National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System (NEVDIS) is proceeding, now all jurisdictions have become signatories to the development agreement. AUSTROADS has now signed a contract for the development of NEVDIS which will be implemented within 18 months.

The NEVDIS scheme will standardise and streamline the flow of vehicle and driver information between States and Territories. It is expected to deliver national benefits to the community of $20 million per annum through improved vehicle safety, national law enforcement, and reduced stolen vehicle fraud.

MINISTERIAL COUNCIL FOR ROAD TRANSPORT

The meeting convened as the MCRT and discussed a number of items referred to it by the NRTC.

NRTC STATUS REPORT

Ministers endorsed the development and coordination by the NRTC of a detailed strategy to determine the national timing and options for implementing road transport reforms in jurisdictions. A draft strategy will be discussed with Transport Agency Chief Executives (TACE) on 11 December 1996 then referred to Ministers in early 1997 after further development.

Ministers noted a progress report on the NRTC's work and the current program to submit all legislation to Ministers by February 1997, with the exception of the Compliance and Enforcement module, which will be referred for approval in June 1997.

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ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE

Ministers noted the progress report on the development of a number of schemes as alternatives to conventional enforcement of heavy vehicle regulations.

Evaluation of the Mass Management and Maintenance Management pilot schemes is complete and work has commenced on a Regulatory Impact Statement and a policy proposal based on the principles and framework previously agreed by Ministers. Broad public consultation will be undertaken prior to submission of these schemes to Ministers, expected in mid 1997.

Evaluation of the Fatigue Management pilot should be completed in late 1997 for consideration by Ministers in early 1998. Ministers noted that work on the three process modules (Audit, Administration and Legal) is nearing completion.

SECOND HEAVY VEHICLE REFORM PACKAGE

Ministers noted the current implementation status of the first Heavy Vehicle Reform Package. Most of the remaining initiatives will be implemented by July 1997.

The principle of a second package of reform initiatives was endorsed by Ministers. The following candidate reforms have been prepared by the NRTC in conjunction with TACE and the Road Transport Forum:

  • Fatigue Management for truck drivers
  • Management of speeding vehicles policy
  • Mass Limits Review
  • Truck/trailer mass ratios
  • Axle/mass spacing for vehicles above 42.5 tonne
  • Short term registration
  • NEVDIS (first stage)
  • Reduction in truck noise
  • Enforcement principles
  • Information on driver offences and licence status

These initiatives are being defined clearly including the definition of time frames and resource implications, and a final list will be submitted to Ministerial Council in early 1997.

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REVIEW OF NATIONAL ROAD TRANSPORT LEGISLATION

Ministers received a progress report on the review of National Road Transport Law from the Steering Committee overseeing the review, and a position paper on the review from the NRTC. An overview of the submissions received by the review, and the consultations held with stakeholders, was also provided. Ministers noted the widespread recognition of the need for ongoing reform to Australia's road transport regulatory arrangements, and the extensive support for the model of an independent body to further national reform objectives.

Ministers emphasised the importance of the period up to the NRTC's legislative sunset of 15 January 1998 for achieving the major aims agreed by Governments in 1991. Ministers pledged their support for ongoing reform over this period, primarily through joint action with the NRTC.

Ministers recognised that substantial tasks would undoubtedly remain following the sunset if the full benefits of reform were to be achieved, and encouraged jurisdictions and the NRTC to look beyond January 1998 in terms of developing further reform proposals. Ministers expressed the need to avoid hiatus in the reform process, otherwise momentum would be lost and benefits to industry and the community delayed.

After the final report of the review is received, Ministers will decide at a special MCRT meeting in February 1997 the specific proposals to the COAG for the mechanisms to continue the critical task of national road reform.

LOWER URBAN SPEED LIMITS

Ministers discussed lower urban speed limits and agreed that:

  • the draft Australian Road Rules should be progressed with a 60km/h general urban speed limit;
  • jurisdictions be able to continue to alter local area speed limits; and
  • that the issue can be revisited and the Australian Road Rules amended in the future if determined by Ministers.

Ministers noted NSW advice that NSW had not made a decision to lower the general urban speed limit to 50 km/h following report by the NSW STAYSAFE Committee.

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PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY INTO ROAD FUNDING

Ministers noted the Parliamentary Inquiry into Commonwealth road funding being undertaken by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Transport and Microeconomic Reform chaired by Mr Mark Vaile MP. All jurisdictions agreed it was appropriate to make submissions to the Inquiry.

UNTIED ROAD FUNDING

Ministers noted that Commonwealth untied road funding will continue to be identified in the Budget. This action was strongly supported. State and Territory Ministers agreed to report annually on their expenditure of the untied grants.

DELIVERY OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR ABORIGINAL PEOPLE AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDERS

Ministers agreed that the issue of the improved delivery of services to Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders requires a bilateral approach developed in consultation with all agencies concerned, including relevant Commonwealth, State and Territory bodies and ATSIC.

Ministers further agreed that in view of its importance, this issue should remain as a standing item on the ATC agenda.

BLACK SPOT PROGRAM

Ministers noted that $36 million per year in real terms has been allocated until 1999/2000 ($148.6 million in total) to States and Territories for the Black Spot Program, to achieve a cost effective reduction in casualty crashes.

Ministers also noted that administrative arrangements for the new Black Spot Program have been finalised and that all States and Territories have been invited to participate in the Program.

Ministers welcomed the introduction of this cost effective road safety initiative.

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STRATEGY FOR PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY

Ministers noted the AUSTROADS document "Strategy for Productivity Improvements for the Road Transport Industry" as a coherent framework to achieve objectives to improve road transport safety and efficiency and implement reform with minimal duplication.

TRANS-TASMAN MUTUAL RECOGNITION ARRANGEMENT

Ministers agreed that the Work Program to develop a harmonised vehicle regulatory system for trans-Tasman trade be undertaken within the shortest possible time.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Australian Transport Council and of the Ministerial Council for Road Transport will be held in New Zealand in May 1997.

MEMBERS ATTENDING DARWIN 1996

Chair: Hon Barry Coulter, Northern Territory Minister for Transport and Works

  • Hon John Sharp, Commonwealth Minister for Transport
  • Hon Brian Langton, New South Wales Minister for Transport
  • Hon Carl Scully, New South Wales Minister for Ports
  • Hon Alan Brown, Victorian Minister for Public Transport
  • Hon Geoff Craige, Victorian Minister for Roads and Ports
  • Hon Eric Charlton, Western Australian Minister for Transport
  • Hon Diana Laidlaw, South Australian Minister for Transport
  • Hon John Cleary, Tasmanian Minister for Transport
  • Mr Tony DeDomenico, Australian Capital Territory Minister for Urban Services

OBSERVERS:

  • Hon Maurice Williamson, New Zealand Minister of Transport
  • Cr Rob Rowell, Australian Local Government Association

APOLOGIES:

  • Hon Michael Knight, New South Wales Minister for Roads
  • Hon Vaughan Johnson, Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads
  • Hon Peter Yama, Papua-New Guinea Minister for Transport and Works

ALSO ATTENDING:

  • Hon Michael Ronaldson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Commonwealth Minister for Transport and Regional Development
  • Mr John Hurlstone, Chairman, National Road Transport Commission
  • Mr John Stanley, Deputy Chairman, National Road Transport Commission
  • Ms Caroline Ameduri, Commissioner, National Road Transport Commission
  • Mr Dick Wharton, representing the Hon Vaughan Johnson, Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads

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Last Updated: 28 July, 2010