Transport Ministers of the Federal, State and Territory governments met in Hobart today as the Australian Transport Council (ATC), which incorporates the Ministerial Council for Road Transport (MCRT). The meeting was chaired by the Tasmanian Minister for Transport, the Honourable John Cleary, MHA.
OPENING STATEMENT
Ministers strongly endorsed the recommendations of the Review Committee into the National Road Transport Commission (NRTC), in particular, that the NRTC should continue beyond its current sunset date of January 1998 as the independent catalyst for broad-ranging national road transport reform in Australia.
They agreed the Commission should be subject to a review at least every six years and focus on the development of policies, practices and other mechanisms to fast-track delivery of key reforms.
Ministers also approved the implementation of a second Heavy Vehicle Reform Package developed by transport agencies and the Road Transport Forum with assistance from the NRTC. It proposes early national implementation of ten reforms to road safety, industry productivity and administration and enforcement.
MINISTERIAL COUNCIL FOR ROAD TRANSPORT
The meeting convened as the Ministerial Council for Road Transport (MCRT) and discussed items referred to it by the National Road Transport Commission.
Review of National Road Transport Legislation
Ministers considered the report of the independent Steering Committee which has overseen the Review of National Road Transport Law.
Ministers strongly endorsed the recommendations of the Review Committee into the NRTC that the Commission should continue beyond its current sunset date of January 1998 as the independent catalyst for broad-ranging national road transport reform in Australia.
Key recommendations endorsed by Ministers include:
- that Heads of Government be asked to give a clear and ongoing commitment to a joint program of road transport reform and to agree to extend the NRTC's life;
- that the Commission should focus on the development of policies and practices and other mechanisms to fast-track delivery of productivity, safety and other reforms;
- that the Commission should pay particular attention to environmental concerns about vehicle noise and emissions, new technology and innovation;
- that the Commission should play a prominent active role in the implementation of reforms and that it should be subject to reviews every six years or at other shorter intervals as Ministers decide;
- that the new arrangements take account of the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement and the New Zealand involvement where appropriate in processes for the development, consideration and endorsement of vehicle standards;
- that the Commission remain Melbourne based, but be extended to five Commissioners and review its consultative arrangements to address more effectively the concerns of key stakeholders.
Ministers approved the proposed arrangements for submission of the review recommendations, draft Bills and Agreements to Heads of Government in April 1997, to enable a formal decision and passage of the proposed legislation through Commonwealth Parliament by the end of the year.
Following discussions between the NRTC, the ACT and the Commonwealth, Ministers agreed that the NRTC will, as part of the development of national legislation, produce special meshing provisions necessary to amend the appropriate ACT law. In addition the Commonwealth will not proceed to the commencement of the legislation until agreement is reached as to the ACT's ability to implement the legislation.
Ministers expressed their appreciation for the work of the independent Steering Committee. The Committee members were Mr John Bowdler, Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Development; Mr Ron Finemore representing the Road Transport Forum, Mr Colin Jordan, VicRoads; Mr Barrie McDonald, Australian Bus and Coach Association; Mr Lauchlan McIntosh, Australian Automobile Association; Mr Bruce Wilson, Queensland Department of Transport and Mr Stuart Hicks, consultant to the Review.
Road Transport Reform Implementation Strategy
Ministers endorsed a strategy for implementing the current national transport reform program, prepared by the NRTC in consultation with transport agencies. The strategy provides for implementation of the reforms once approved by Ministers, without waiting for passage of Commonwealth legislation.
The reforms and the dates for their national implementation are:
| Reform | Timing |
|---|---|
| Uniform arrangements for dangerous goods transport | 1 Jan 1998 |
| National heavy vehicle registration scheme | 1 July 1998 |
| National driver licensing scheme | 1 Sept 1998 |
Vehicles operations reforms covering:
|
1 Oct 1997 |
| National Vehicle Standards | 1 Oct 1997 |
| National truck driving hours laws (excluding WA and NT) |
1 July 1997 |
| National bus driving hours laws (may not apply in WA or NT) |
1 July 1997 |
| Consistent compliance and enforcement | to be determined |
| Second charges determination including fixing anomalies in current charges | not before July 1998 |
| Australian Road Rules | phase one by Sep 1998 |
Ministers also noted that the Commission will coordinate and monitor implementation of the reforms, reporting progress nationally.
Mass Limits Review - Implementation Strategy
Ministers noted the NRTC's strategy to implement higher heavy vehicle mass limits for vehicles with "road-friendly" suspensions to improve the productivity of Australia's road transport industry.
They decided that funding for the bridge costs associated with the increases need to be resolved before the reform can be implemented. The NRTC will convene discussions with Commonwealth, State, Territory and local governments and the road transport industry on this issue and others relating to initial implementation to enable further consideration at the May MCRT meeting.
Second Heavy Vehicle Reform Package
Ministers approved the implementation of a second Heavy Vehicle Reform Package (Ten Point Plan) which was developed by the NRTC in conjunction with transport agencies and the Road Transport Forum.
It proposes early national implementation of ten key reforms to road safety, industry productivity, administration and enforcement. The reforms and their implementation dates are:
| Reform | Timing |
|---|---|
| Fatigue management for truck drivers | November 1997 |
| Management of speeding vehicles policy | August 1998 |
| Information on driver offences and licence status | September 1997 |
| NEVDIS (first stage) | May 1998 |
| Mass Limits Review | to be determined |
| Truck/trailer mass ratios | September 1997 |
| Axle mass spacing for vehicles above 42.5 tonne | November 1997 |
| Short term registration | December 1997 |
| Consistent on-road enforcement for roadworthiness | October 1997 |
| Reduction in truck noise | December 1997 |
National Road Safety Package
Ministers agreed to the development of a package of specific road safety measures to further improve Australia's road safety performance. The package of measures is designed to provide the foundation for shaping community attitudes to road safety behaviour for the future.
The unacceptably high national Christmas holiday road toll followed by another increase in January 1997 further emphasises the problem and highlights the challenge that Australia faces to keep road trauma in check.
Transport Ministers have directed a committee of senior officials to prepare a detailed Package of road safety measures to be finalised in May.
New measures will be developed in the areas of drink driving, driver education, speeding, seat belt use and rural road safety. Opportunities to improve the safety of the vehicle itself and the road environment possibly through the application of new intelligent transport systems technology will also be considered.
One measure to be considered will be the establishment of nationally consistent penalties which along with increased certainty of detection will send a clear message to risk takers in particular that the Australian community demands a high standard of road safety.
Ministers recognised the importance of community support and public education to improve road user attitudes and other road safety programs.
Ministers undertook to arrange consultation with the community on these issues to seek input and support for the initiatives.
The specific measures likely to be considered to be part of the Package include:
- alcohol
- more consistent penalties for drink driving offences nationally, including significant fines and provision for licence disqualification for all levels of offence and automatic and immediate licence suspension for offences over 0.15 BAC;
- a dramatic increase in random breath testing in regions with relatively high levels of alcohol related crashes;
- trialing in South Australia of alcohol ignition interlock systems for serious/repeat offenders.
- speed
- a nationally consistent and comprehensive speed zoning system, including appropriate speed limits for residential areas;
- more consistent penalties for speed offences, including significant fines for all offences and automatic and immediate licence suspension for exceeding a speed limit by an excessive amount;
- increased use of speed cameras and related technologies to maximise deterrence.
- enforcement
- use of benchmarking methods to identify and adopt best practice in enforcement management;
- optimisation of enforcement resources to maximise deterrence in priority safety areas;
- movement towards wider application of laws requiring compulsory carriage of driver licences.
- driver education
- enhanced focus on improving driver education in schools and in the pre-licence training period, and an ongoing basis.
- seat belts
- adoption of significant penalties for all seat belt offences;
- implementation of random seat belt wearing checks;
- targeting of rural area enforcement of seat belt wearing;
- compulsory wearing of seatbelts where they are fitted to coaches, noting that responsibility for this should rest with the passenger rather than the driver or coach operator.
- Development of a complementary code to underpin this in consultation with the Australian Bus and Coach Association.
- rural road safety
- some States have flagged the intention to re-examine speed limits for certain classes of rural roads;
- nationally coordinated policy and implementation plan for the development of rest areas;
- programs for upgrading and improving rural roads to be accelerated;
- blackspots programs to rectify known accident sites on rural and other roads.
Ministers also highlighted the importance of mobilising and guiding the involvement of the wider community in managing the nation's road safety performance. To this end, Ministers agreed to a program of community consultation in the development of the National Road Safety Action Plan for beyond the year 2000 that will culminate in a National Road Safety Summit.
Ministers were pleased to note the initiatives being separately proposed by the NRTC and endorsed by the Road Transport Forum to improve the road safety performance of the road transport industry.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Australian Transport Council and of the Ministerial Council for Road Transport will be held in Queensland in May 1997.
MEMBERS ATTENDING HOBART 1997
Chair: Hon John Cleary, Tasmanian Minister for Transport
- Hon John Sharp, Commonwealth Minister for Transport and Regional Development
- Hon Carl Scully, New South Wales Minister for Roads and Minister for Ports
- Hon Robin Cooper, Victorian Minister for Transport
- Hon Geoff Craige, Victorian Minister for Roads and Ports
- Hon Vaughan Johnson, Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads
- Hon Eric Charlton, Western Australian Minister for Transport
- Hon Diana Laidlaw, South Australian Minister for Transport
- Hon Barry Coulter, Northern Territory Minister for Transport and Works
- Hon Jenny Shipley, New Zealand Minister of Transport
OBSERVERS:
- Cr John Wearne, Australian Local Government Association
APOLOGIES:
- Mr Trevor Kaine Australian Capital Territory Minister for Urban Services
- Hon Brian Langton, New South Wales Minister for Transport
- Hon Peter Yama, Papua-New Guinea Minister for Transport
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