Joint Communique

2 June 2006, Sydney

Australian, state and territory Transport Ministers and the President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) met in Sydney on Friday 2 June 2006 to consider a range of important national transport issues.

Rail Safety Reform
Surface Transport Security
Airport Land Development
Council of Australian Governments (COAG) National Transport Reform Agenda
National Road Safety Strategy
Safety at Rail Level Crossings
Maritime Security
National Protocol for Drivers Licences
Next Meeting

RAIL SAFETY REFORM

In a decision that marks a significant achievement in national rail reform, Ministers approved the proposed model national Rail Safety (Reform) Bill and associated aspects of the Rail Safety Reform Package.  Once implemented in all States and Territories, Australia will have, for the first time, a nationally consistent legislative framework for rail safety.  It builds upon, and strengthens, existing State and Territory-based rail legislation and aims to deliver improved rail safety outcomes across Australia.  The reform was led by the National Transport Commission and developed through the truly co-operative efforts of all governments, the rail industry and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union.

This initiative is part of the COAG reform agenda and is an effective demonstration of the improvements in regulation of transport that can be achieved.

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SURFACE TRANSPORT SECURITY

Ministers and the President of ALGA received a confidential briefing by the Inspector of Transport Security, Mick Palmer AO, on his work across jurisdictions to assess security arrangements in our surface transport systems.  This includes his assessment of the international developments and benchmarking following the Madrid and London attacks.

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AIRPORT LAND DEVELOPMENT

ATC Ministers and the President of ALGA endorsed a full and proper consultation process for the development of airport land involving airport operators, State, Territory and Local Government.  ATC agreed that the consultation guidelines being finalised by the Australian Government should include a requirement for consultation with State and local government, and consideration of the impacts of proposals on regional developments and planning, including infrastructure outside the airport.  The outcomes of the consultation process be reported directly to the Australian Government Minister for his consideration of Master Plans and Major Development Plans.

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COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENTS (COAG) NATIONAL TRANSPORT REFORM AGENDA

Australian Transport Ministers agreed the way to progress the transport reform agenda set by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).

In particular, Ministers noted:

• The important opportunity provided by the Productivity Commission's Road and Rail Freight Infrastructure Pricing inquiry to progress efficient transport pricing;
• The comprehensive scope of COAG's road and rail regulatory reform agenda, including productivity improvements in road transport, the significance of establishing national rail safety legislation and a nationally consistent and simpler system of rail access regulation;
• All governments' commitment to achieving a simpler and consistent national approach to the economic regulation of significant infrastructure by becoming signatories to the COAG Competition and Infrastructure Reform Agreement;
• COAG's commitment to reduce current and projected urban transport congestion, informed by the joint Commonwealth-State review that is currently underway; and
• COAG's recognition of the role of energy efficiency in the transport sector by requesting the Australian Transport Council, in conjunction with the Environment Protection and Heritage Council, to report on both a range of fuel efficiency initiatives and on travel demand management, including increased use of public transport.

Transport Ministers signed off on the first of a series of progress reports to COAG on implementing the National Transport Reform Agenda, noting the resource challenges facing the smaller jurisdictions in implementing the agenda.

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NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY STRATEGY

Ministers and the ALGA President considered progress on the National Road Safety Strategy.  Ministers noted that there has been no overall reduction in the road fatality rate since 2004 and in some states an increase.  Accordingly all jurisdictions recommitted to examine measures in the current Road Safety Action Plans to stem the increase.

While noting that technological improvements in vehicle design such as Electronic Stability Control could not be retrofitted to the existing fleet, the Australian Government agreed to examine the capability and benefits of regulating such technologies in the Australian Design Rules.  In addition, they requested officials to develop a National Action Plan to promote the take up of the technology.  Ministers also requested that reversing sensors be examined in regards to inclusion in the Australian Design Rules.

Ministers noted that work has commenced to review the Strategy and to develop the next two-year Action Plan, which will be submitted for consideration at the next ATC meeting.

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SAFETY AT RAILWAY LEVEL CROSSINGS

In a related safety initiative Ministers agreed to improve level crossing management and commence innovative work on implementing a national level crossing behavioural strategy.   The behavioural strategy forms part of the ATC's National Railway Level Crossing Safety Strategy and builds on the work of the National Road Safety Strategy. 

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MARITIME SECURITY

In light of the briefing by the Inspector of Transport Security, Mr Mick Palmer AO on his analysis of global transport security developments, Ministers discussed the rollout of the Maritime Security Identification Card Scheme.   All jurisdictional Ministers strongly supported the completion of the national rollout of the MSIC Scheme by 31 December 2006.

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NATIONAL PROTOCOL FOR DRIVER LICENCES

Transport Ministers discussed the development of a common standard covering the production of future Australian Drivers Licences by all jurisdictions.  It was agreed that senior officials would develop a national agreement for consideration by Transport Ministers to ensure interoperability and open architecture of State and Territory licensing systems.

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NEXT MEETING

The next ATC meeting is scheduled to be held in Adelaide 13 October 2006. 

The ATC meeting was attended by:

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Last Updated: 5 June, 2006.