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Joint Communique - 30 April 2004

Australian, State and Territory Transport ministers met in Perth on Friday 30 April to consider a range of important transport issues, in particular, transport security.

TRANSPORT SECURITY

Ministers considered Australia's transport security arrangements and focussed on areas where all Governments must work together to progress transport security initiatives across all transport modes.
Ministers were briefed by the ASIO Director General Dennis Richardson on the current security environment and the threat to our transport systems. The Council was also briefed on the outcomes of the high level mission on international transport security led by the Secretary of the Department of Transport and Regional Services. The mission, consisting of Australian and State Government representatives, visited a number of countries and reported on best practice in transport security including current international thinking on regulation, planning and operational practices to maximise transport security.
The Mission made nineteen specific recommendations, including three broad recommendations for land transport:

  • establish a consistent national approach to transport security for land transport based on risk assessments, security programs and business continuity programs;
  • establish an Inter-governmental Agreement to strengthen transport security across jurisdictions; and
  • develop and implement a National Dangerous Goods Security Programme.

The Council again confirmed the importance of cooperation between all Australian governments on transport security matters. Ministers agreed to an approach to expedite action on these recommendations.
The threat of terrorist attacks on Australia's transport system is real and will continue. Governments around the world are now focussing on precaution and mitigation measures for passenger land transport.
Effective security will require:

  • engaging staff and the travelling public to be alert to the risks;
  • improving communications of threat and risk information; and
  • nationally consistent preventative action throughout the transport sector.

Ministers agreed to support the findings and recommendations of the high level mission and that they would seek to have their approach to transport security formally considered by the National Counter Terrorism Committee.
Ministers acknowledged the importance of nationally consistent awareness-raising activity to encourage the public to report suspicious behaviour on mass urban transport.
A National Transport Security Strategy (NTSS) was also agreed which forms the basis for an approach by the Australian Government and the State and Territory Governments to address transport security.
To enhance Australia's land transport security system, the NTSS includes 10 key passenger transport security priorities. The plan provides that jurisdictions who have not already done so, work towards:

  • conducting risk context workshops in their jurisdiction for key public transport operators;
  • establishing a whole of government transport security policy committee;
  • reviewing the adequacy of legislation dealing with transport security and implementing any changes where necessary;
  • strengthening the capability of private transport operators to implement risk based security planning;
  • undertaking security assessment and planning at the state level and for key transport systems and assets;
  • reviewing and enhancing, if necessary, mechanisms for reporting and analysing incidents;
  • putting internal communication strategies in place to improve processes and procedures for reporting incidents and suspicious activity;
  • developing and implementing a National Dangerous Goods Security programme;
  • establishing arrangements through SCOT Transport Security Working Group for responding to transport security intelligence; and
  • increasing participation in counter-terrorism exercises by state governments and private transport operators.

Ministers noted progress to date by States and Territories against these priorities.
Ministers also noted progress in implementation of the enhanced aviation and maritime transport security regimes.

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RAIL ISSUES

Ministers noted the good progress by the Rail Regulators Panel in the development of a joint national rail safety accreditation system approach for safety accreditation of rail managers and operators and sought the sustained commitment from all jurisdictions and industry to ensure implementation of this national system as soon as practicable.
Ministers considered a presentation by the NSW Government on the Waterfall rail accident. The presentation was of major interest to all jurisdictions as there are potential implications for the other transport modes arising out of the findings of the Special Commission of Inquiry into the accident.

DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL CODE OF PRACTICE FOR RAIL

Ministers noted the progress being made by the rail industry Code Management Company on development of the National Code of Practice for Rail, including a strategic framework for its future development, review of existing elements of the Code, and development of additional Codes.

NATIONAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES FOR RAIL SAFETY WORKERS

A uniform National Standard for the Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers is now available for the first time. Ministers agreed the Standard developed by the National Transport Commission would be introduced in all States and Territories on or before 1 July 2004 in consultation with key stakeholders.
The new arrangements provide a comprehensive programme to ensure that rail workers whose positions are critical to the safety of rail travellers meet appropriately high health standards. The approach also establishes systems that require rail operators to maintain greater control over the continuous review of workers health.
Rail operators and organisations will have up to 24 months to complete the initial assessment of all safety critical workers.

AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING POLICY

Noting that the Review was an industry review, the Australian Government will advise ATC at its next meeting on its position on a number of matters raised in the Independent Review of Australian Shipping.

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NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM

Council noted that a comparative assessment of Mandatory Broadcast Zones (MBZ) and United States Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (US CTAF) is being undertaken. Ministers noted that State and Territory Governments will be consulted on the aeronautical risk model methodology.

AUSTRALIAN DESIGN RULES

Ministers agreed that several proposals to review and implement changes to Australian Design Rules would be considered by officials and industry representatives at the next meeting of the Technical Liaison Group to be held on 3 June 2004 and that a report be provided to the next ATC on possible procedures for streamlining the ADR process.

AUSLINK

ATC members noted that the Australian Government will be releasing funding figures for AusLink in the context of the May 11 Budget. They also noted that the AusLink White Paper will be released in early June and that this will contain details of the National Land Transport Plan and the proposed implementation arrangements for AusLink.

PROGRESS ON ROAD SAFETY

LEADERSHIP IN SAFER VEHICLES - SEATBELT REMINDER SYSTEMS
Proposals to improve seatbelt reminder systems in Australian vehicles will be canvassed in a regulation impact statement to be released in May 2004. Comments by industry, interest groups and jurisdictions will guide further consideration of this proposal.

SAFETY ISSUES IN VEHICLE ADVERTISING
Ministers noted that the revised Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries Voluntary Code of Practice for Motor Vehicle Advertising is a welcome improvement on the previous Code. Ministers also noted that operation of the revised Code will be closely monitored and agreed that a review of compliance with the Code will be undertaken after a period of 12 months.

SAFETY OF INTERNATIONAL VISITORS ON AUSTRALIAN ROADS
Ministers agreed to adopt the National Road Safety Action Plan for International Visitors (NRSAPIV) 2004-2005 and noted that it is aligned with the National Road Safety Strategy 2001-2010.
The development of the National Road Safety Action Plan for International visitors was facilitated by Queensland Transport with the endorsement of SCOT and the ATC and flowed from a recommendation of the Queensland Parliamentary Travelsafe Committee.

NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY ACTION PLAN FOR 2005 AND 2006
Ministers endorsed arrangements for developing the next Action Plan under the National Road Safety Strategy 2001-2010. ATC decisions require a review and revision of the Action Plan every two years. The current Plan covers 2003 and 2004. The Plan to be developed will cover 2005 and 2006 and will be considered by the next ATC meeting.

SEATBELTS IN SCHOOL BUSES
The Council noted that school bus safety was a matter of strong concern for many parents and that jurisdictions will continue to pursue safety measures that are likely to be most effective in reducing risks to children.

ROAD TRANSPORT COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT REFORM
Ministers agreed to support the nationally coordinated implementation of the Compliance and Enforcement reform. This significant reform includes chain of responsibility provisions imposing liability on all those involved in consigning, packing, loading, carrying, driving and receiving loads. National implementation requires early passage of legislation to give effect to the approved Compliance and Enforcement Bill, and adoption of administrative guidelines, competency standards for enforcement officers and a national communications strategy.

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NATIONAL HEAVY VEHICLE SAFETY STRATEGY
Ministers noted a communique drafted by the Summit to Combat Speeding Heavy Vehicles held in March 2004. The Summit was jointly convened by the National Transport Commission and the Australian Trucking Association under the auspices of the National Heavy Vehicle Safety Strategy. Industry and governments are committed to developing action plans to address issues identified in the summit.
Jurisdictions supported the need for a cultural change within the industry in relation to heavy vehicle speeding and urged industry and governments to get behind the new initiatives to lessen the road toll.

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. Forty per cent of Third Heavy Vehicle Reform Package projects have now been completed.

MARITIME ISSUES

ATC noted work by jurisdictions to develop and implement the National System for The Prevention and Management of Introduced Marine Pests currently being undertaken by the National Resource Management Ministerial Council through an inter governmental agreement.

INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT SYSTEMS (ITS)

The ATC noted the challenges, issues and priorities for ITS development and adoption to achieve transport solutions. Ministers agreed to promote a multi modal approach to the development of a new National ITS strategy and agreed that the SCOT ITS sub committee continue work in this area.

NEXT MEETING

The next ATC meeting will be held in Queensland later this year.

The ATC Meeting was attended by:

The Hon J (John) Anderson MP,
The Hon A (Alannah) MacTiernan MLA,
The Hon M (Michelle) Roberts MLA,
Senator the Hon I (Ian) Campbell,
The Hon M (Michael) Costa MLC,
The Hon P (Carl) Scully MLA,
The Hon P (Peter) Batchelor MLA,
The Hon P (Paul) Lucas MLA,
The Hon P (Trish) White MP,
The Hon B (Bryan) Green MHA,
The Hon C (Chris) Burns MHA,
Mr W (Bill) Wood MLA,
Cr M (Mike) Montgomery

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Last Updated: 28 July, 2010