Transport Ministers Communiqué

28 February 2007, Canberra

Transport Ministers Communiqué - Inspector of Transport Security Surface Transport Security Assessment

In November 2005 the Australian Transport Council (ATC) asked the Inspector of Transport Security, Mr Mick Palmer, to conduct an assessment of surface transport security in Australia. This was in response to discussions on mass passenger surface transport security at a special meeting of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in September 2005, following the July 2005 terrorist attacks in London.

At its meeting on 18 November 2005, the ATC approved a working group of officials to work with the Inspector of Transport Security to assess:

• the ability of private operators to undertake risk assessments and develop and implement security programs;
• the degree of industry training and staff awareness;
• information from intelligence agencies;
• the relationship with counter-terrorism arrangements and industry; and
• relationships with government regulatory agencies and industry.

Transport Ministers today met in Canberra where they received briefings from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) on the current security environment and Mr Palmer on the findings of his Surface Transport Security Assessment. Ministers noted the comprehensiveness of the Inspector's report and the holistic view taken of the surface transport security environment and the Inspector's finding that:

"Australia can take confidence, in comparative terms, in the progress that has been made in this country and the strategies and practices that have been put in place or are being implemented or actively considered."

The assessment finds that Australia's transport security strategies and practices are of world standard. This is not reason for complacency, however, and counter-terrorism measures require on-going and continuous review, assessment and improvement. 

The assessment includes a range of recommendations for consideration, development and implementation.  As the assessment is a holistic investigation of the surface transport security environment a number of the recommendations apply to other portfolios outside transport including police.  The issues will be considered by Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments and involve consultation with the surface transport sector.

A clear and consistent message in the assessment is the importance of achieving a balance between people and technology. The quickest adaptive response to any threat will come from human resources. In this context the assessment includes a number of recommendations related to staff training.

The other key area of recommended work relates to national security planning. A coordinated, national approach to security planning involving key stakeholders is an essential element in effective transport security.

Transport Ministers have asked the Standing Committee on Transport (SCOT) Transport Security Working Group (TSWG) to progress recommendations within their ambit at a national level, reporting back to the ATC at the November meeting.

Last Updated: 1 March, 2007.