Jump to Content
A A A

14 November 1997

Australian Commonwealth, State and Territory Transport, Roads and Ports Ministers met today in Queenstown, New Zealand at the invitation of New Zealand Transport Minister Mrs Jenny Shipley.

The Queenstown meeting was preceded by extensive briefings on and inspection of New Zealand initiatives in deregulating the ports, rail and road industries. Included was an inspection of the Ports of Auckland where the New Zealand Government had achieved significant improvement in productivity after reform of both the port infrastructure and the labour market.

The meeting was a unique opportunity for an in-depth and intensive exchange of views between Ministers of both countries on reform issues, and the Australian Ministers expressed their thanks to Mrs Shipley for hosting today's meeting.

ATC STRATEGIC PLAN

Ministers decided on the Australian Transport Council Strategic Plan. Under this plan four specific modal groups will be established to focus work on key aspects of national transport reform in the sea, air, rail and road sectors.

Ministers confirmed the importance of continuing to consult industry and other interest groups on ATC's agenda. This would be pursued as an "issue-based" approach.

Top of Page

RAIL REFORM - PROGRESS REPORT ON RAIL SUMMIT OUTCOMES

At the recent Rail Summit Commonwealth and State Transport Ministers agreed to major reforms to interstate rail.

Ministers have reaffirmed their commitment to developing an efficient and competitive rail industry in Australia. They have today signed an intergovernmental Agreement which provides for the establishment of a company to manage access and infrastructure development on the interstate rail network. The company will provide efficient and seamless access to the interstate rail network through:

  • operating on commercially sound principles;
  • pursuing a growth strategy for interstate rail;
  • improving interstate infrastructure through better asset management and a program of commercial and grant funded investment; and
  • promoting operational efficiency and uniformity on the interstate network.

In concert with the recent new entrants to the rail industry these reforms promise a new era for Australia's railway industry. The Agreement establishes a framework which will enable interstate operators to negotiate access to the entire interstate network through a single organisation rather than to undertake multiple negotiations with the various authorities in each jurisdiction through which they pass, as is currently the case.

Ministers also agreed to ask the SCOT Rail Group to advance uniformity of regulatory and operational requirements. Ministers also decided to commission work on tax reform options which would enhance transport efficiency, with a specific requirement to address issues of competitive neutrality without delay.

ELECTRONIC TOLL COLLECTION (ETC)

Ministers today endorsed a report on standards for future implementation of electronic toll collection systems in Australia.

Council agreed the report should be widely disseminated prior to the matter being finalised at the April 1998 ATC meeting.

Council declared its intention to adopt at that time, on a national basis, the European draft standard (CEN) and its operating frequency of 5.8 GHz to apply to all future government initiated ETC investments. Private toll operators will be encouraged to adopt that standard for all significant upgrades of their technology.

Council agreed it is imperative that Australia has inter-operability standards for electronic tolling systems. Ministers asked the Standing Committee on Transport (SCOT) to develop proposals to address legislative, privacy and other barriers to the achievement of effective and inter-operable systems. This would include the legislative framework both at the technical level and for enforcement, and use of free flow systems.

Ministers also declared their support for the development of inter-operable intelligent traffic systems beyond basic ETC applications.

Ministers requested AUSTROADS in conjunction with ITS Australia, toll operators and financial service providers to develop effective procedures to facilitate inter-operability through compatibility with other widely used payment and clearing systems.

Top of Page

ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT

Ministers reconfirmed their commitment to improved accessibility and to the need for draft standards for accessible transport. Ministers reported on progress made in their States and Territories towards implementing accessible transport, and agreed to work towards the timetable put forward by New South Wales. This will see ATC considering the revised Regulatory Impact Statement by May 1998, and consideration by the Commonwealth Attorney-General of the Statement in November 1998. The process will include inputs by the States and Territories on the findings of surveys they have carried out as well as trend analysis and gap identification.

IMPACT OF THE NATIONAL COMPETITION POLICY ON THE TAXI INDUSTRY

Ministers discussed the impact of the National Competition Policy on the Taxi industry and noted:

(a) the NZ Minister's report on the successful deregulation of the NZ industry; and

(b) that under National Competition Policy it is the responsibility of individual States and Territories to address regulatory arrangements applying to their industries. A majority of States including QLD, SA and VIC believe that their existing industry arrangements would pass the public benefit test.

The NSW Minister for Transport considered that some elements of the NZ approach might be useful in overcoming some problems with the industry in his State.

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 (NRTC).

NRTC STRATEGIC PLAN

Ministers discussed and agreed to the National Road Transport Commission's strategic plan covering the three years to 2000/01. The plan provides a good focus for the future direction of the Commission in fast tracking reforms, becoming more involved in implementation and giving greater attention to innovation, road safety and the environment. It also provides a clear statement of the Commission's objectives, and improves accountability and consultative procedures with stakeholders. It maps national road transport reform for the next three years, making reform objectives and performance transparent.

Top of Page

ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE POLICY

Ministers endorsed a comprehensive alternative compliance package.

The package proposes establishing a national accreditation scheme, based initially on the pilot Mass Management and Maintenance Management schemes with the option of adding other modules as they are developed and approved by Ministers.

The package proposes a national scheme which will allow automatic entry for operators accredited under industry schemes using consistent standards and audit processes. It would also provide the flexibility necessary to cover existing alternative compliance arrangements.

Ministers also committed to reducing the impact of conventional enforcement activities on accredited operators.

The NRTC will establish an implementation group to resolve any outstanding issues.

MANAGEMENT OF SPEEDING VEHICLES

Ministers endorsed a proposal for managing speeding heavy vehicles, which focuses on targeting the minority of operators who are responsible for repeated offences. The proposal involves extending the penalties for repeated offences of exceeding the open road limit by more than 15km/h to a sequence of graduated penalties, culminating in suspension of a vehicle's registration for up to three months.

This proposal is supported by the road transport industry as an effective way to reduce the incidence of speeding heavy vehicles and improve public perceptions of the industry. Council also agreed that a working group be established to resolve the remaining implementation issues.

MASS LIMITS

Ministers considered the issue of increased mass limits. A number of jurisdictions expressed their willingness to implement increased mass limits as recommended by the NRTC, subject to the provision of additional funding and appropriate enforcement.

Ministers called for the NRTC to prepare a report and recommendations for the next MCRT meeting in April 1998. This report will include detailed costs and funding proposals that would be necessary to implement the increase, as well as advice on the benefit of road friendly suspension vehicles with a load limit of 42.5 tonnes, the identification of the beneficiaries of the mass limits increase, and the impact on rail.

Ministers also requested the NRTC to report back on proposals for:

  • operators to be required to be accredited as members of an approved mass-management compliance-assurance scheme in order to operate at increased limits
  • penalties for overloading, including substantial increases in penalties for gross overloading, commensurate with the risk to safety and the damage to bridges and roads

Top of Page

TRUCK DRIVING HOURS REGULATIONS

Ministers agreed to vote on the Driving Hours package by early January, noting that the NRTC will be discussing any outstanding issues with NSW and QLD before that time.

DELIVERING ROAD TRANSPORT REFORM - STATUS REPORT

Ministers considered a status report on progress with the initial reform agenda and agreed to the revised timetable for implementation of reforms.

SECOND HEAVY VEHICLE REFORM PACKAGE - STATUS REPORT

Ministers agreed a revised timetable for the Second Heavy Vehicle Reform Package. This package was agreed by Ministers in February 1997 and proposed early national implementation of ten reforms to road safety, industry productivity, administration and enforcement without waiting for the passage of Commonwealth legislation.

Ministers renewed their commitment to early implementation of the package as a means of delivering the benefits of reform to industry and endorsed the timetable for national implementation.

Ministers also acknowledged the significant personal contributions of the retiring NRTC Chairman Mr John Hurlstone and Chief Executive Mr David O'Sullivan to the national road transport reform process.

Top of Page

BLACK SPOT PROGRAM

The Federal Road Safety Black Spot Program was introduced in 1996 as part of the Federal Government's commitment to reduce crashes on Australian roads.

The Federal Government is providing $36 million annually in real terms, as part of a road safety strategy to reduce the road toll through cost-efficient, safety-oriented projects.

Ministers noted that the Program is progressing well, with approved programs of works being implemented in each of the States and Territories. Further announcements about additional project approvals are expected over coming weeks.

Ministers were pleased to note that based on past experience, a reduction of up to two-thirds in serious casualty crashes may be expected at treated sites.

EFFECT OF DRUGS (OTHER THAN ALCOHOL) ON ROAD SAFETY

Ministers agreed that all jurisdictions will cooperate in collecting data on the involvement of drugs for drivers and riders killed or admitted to hospital.

This reflects the commitment to establish the extent of the contribution of drugs to road crashes set down in the National Road Safety Package which was endorsed by Council in May 1997. Ministers noted that drugs testing of drivers and riders killed should have priority but obtaining data on those killed or injured is also needed in the longer term.

Ministers also noted that work is being undertaken by a special working group of the International Committee on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety on the development of international scientific guidelines for conducting drug impairment experiments on driving performance. This work is being monitored by the Federal Office of Road Safety and Council will be advised of developments.

Council endorsed the establishment of a working group under the AUSTROADS Road Safety Strategy Panel which would serve to coordinate national directions for drugs and driving issues.

Top of Page

OTHER MATTERS - NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY TARGET

To assist in reducing the incidence of death and injuries on Australia's roads Ministers agreed to adopt a new road safety target of fewer than 8 deaths for every 100,000 people by the year 2005. The previous target was below 10 deaths for every 100,000 people by the year 2001. Based on population forecasts this would equate to a road toll of 1,900. The new target equates to 1,600 deaths.

Ministers stressed that the setting of targets should not in any way suggest that any death on our roads is acceptable. However a nationally agreed target provides a focus for efforts in the short term. While indications for 1997 suggest a downward trend in the road toll, when compared to 1996, there is a need to maintain Australia's strong commitment to road safety. A similar downturn in trend occurred in mid 1993 when the twelve months road toll fell under 1,900. These gains were subsequently lost.

The road toll for 1996 was 1,970. On current trends the toll for 1997 is estimated to be around 1,735, which equates to a rate of 9.6 per 100,000 people.

Top of Page

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Australian Transport Council and of the Ministerial Council for Road Transport will be held in New South Wales on 24 April 1998.

MEMBERS ATTENDING 14 NOVEMBER 1997

Chair: Hon Mark Vaile, Commonwealth Minister for Transport and Regional Development

  • Hon Jenny Shipley, New Zealand Minister for Transport
  • Hon Brian Langton, New South Wales Minister for Transport
  • Hon Carl Scully, New South Wales Minister for Roads, Ports and Public Works
  • Hon Geoff Craige, Victorian Minister for Roads and Ports
  • Hon Robin Cooper, Victorian Minister for Transport
  • Hon Eric Charlton, Western Australian Minister for Transport
  • Hon Diana Laidlaw, South Australian Minister for Transport and Urban Planning
  • Hon Vaughan Johnson, Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads
  • Mr Trevor Kaine, Australian Capital Territory Minister for Urban Services

OBSERVERS:

  • Cr John Wearne, Australian Local Government Association

APOLOGIES:

  • Hon John Cleary, Tasmanian Minister for Transport (represented by Mr Neil Aplin)
  • Hon Barry Coulter, Northern Territory Minister for Transport and Works (represented by Mr Chris Bigg)
  • Hon Philemon Embel, Papua-New Guinea Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation

ALSO ATTENDING:

  • 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

Top of Page


Print 
Last Updated: 28 July, 2010