4 December 1998
Transport Ministers of the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments met in Melbourne today as the Australian Transport Council (ATC), which incorporates the Ministerial Council for Road Transport (MCRT). The meeting was hosted and chaired by the Victorian Minister for Roads and Ports, the Honourable Geoff Craige. Accessible Transport - Regulation Impact Statement (RIS)Ministers recognised the importance of the draft Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport to the community of people with disabilities and gave this issue priority on the ATC agenda. Because of the significance of this issue and the need for high level advice, Ministers endorsed the Standing Committee on Transport's (SCOT) proposal for it to convene a special meeting early in the New Year to consider the draft and its Regulation Impact Statement. Ministers anticipate they will be in a position at the next ATC meeting to make a final decision on the RIS on the draft Standards. Ministers also requested that SCOT examine the issue of purpose built wheelchair accessible taxis in Australia and report back to the next meeting of the ATC in April 1999 on how this issue can be progressed. Land Transport CommissionMinisters agreed on the need for an integrated approach to road and rail freight and to this end directed SCOT to prepare proposals for the creation of a Land Transport Commission for consideration at the next ATC meeting. Progress Report on Rail Reform issuesMinisters noted significant progress on the rail reform tasks being undertaken by the SCOT Rail Group in accordance with the rail reform agenda established by Ministers at the September 1997 National Rail Summit and the subsequent November 1997 ATC meeting. Ministers noted that the SCOT Rail Group had established an Industry Reference Group to develop uniform rail standards and operational requirements as identified in the Rail Uniformity Report (Maunsell) which Ministers had endorsed at their April 1998 ATC meeting. Ministers agreed to commit further funding ($250,000) to enable the uniformity work being progressed by the Industry Reference Group to be completed.  Top of Page
Future of marine safety radio communicationsAt the April 1998 meeting of the ATC, Ministers noted that Australia's obligation to comply with the International Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention regarding the use of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) by February 1999, would have implications for smaller vessels and pleasure craft which fall outside the scope of SOLAS. Ministers directed the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) to continue managing the provision of safety radio services for non-SOLAS vessels by maintaining existing levels of service until a suitable long term replacement is implemented or until 2005, whichever is earlier. Ministers will consider how to fund the continuation of the system at their next meeting, noting that it is not an exclusive Commonwealth responsibility. A working group has been established to identify an appropriate nationally uniform technical option. That working group will also develop a national public relations program to ensure a comprehensive understanding of any changes and implications which may result from the introduction of GMDSS. National Marine Safety Committee Ministers agreed to the extension of the National Marine Safety Committee (NMSC) for a further two years under the existing funding arrangements. Ministers directed SCOT to set up an immediate independent review by a consultant to advise on the NMSC's work priorities and long term arrangements for the NMSC. The Review is to be funded by the NMSC and action to put the Review into effect is to commence immediately. The report is to be available for decision by Ministers at the next ATC meeting. Guidelines for Australian Pilotage StandardsMinisters endorsed publication of the Guidelines for Australian Marine Pilotage Standards as a basis for the development of uniform legislation relating to the pilotage of commercial vessels in Australia. The guidelines will allow stakeholders to assess their effectiveness before moving to the development of national standards. National Principles for Licensing of Recreational Boat OperatorsMinisters also endorsed the introduction of national principles for licensing of recreational boat operators. These principles will facilitate a consistent approach to standards of competence for operation of recreational boats. Top of Page National competition policy Assessment of Road Transport ReformMinisters agreed to submit a report prepared by SCOT defining 19 road transport reforms assessable under the National Competition Council (NCC) process to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and, subject to COAG agreement, to the NCC. Ministers agreed that a formal vote by Ministers would define when a reform becomes assessable in the future. National Bicycle StrategyMinisters endorsed the revision of the National Bicycle Strategy "Australia Cycling - The National Strategy 1999-2004" and agreed to its launch by the Commonwealth Minister for Transport and Regional Services at the VelOZity Australasian Cycling Conference in February 1999 in Adelaide. The Strategy offers a framework for increasing cycling participation and should enable people to better enjoy cycling for transport and recreation, and further improve quality of life. Preventing the Registration of Re-birthed Stolen VehiclesMinisters directed SCOT, through the Austroads working group, to prepare a report on strategies to progress national uniformity with respect to registration practices as a means of combating vehicle theft for consideration at the next ATC meeting, including banning the registration of written off vehicles.
Drugs and Driving
Ministers directed Austroads to undertake further research into the links between drugs (other than alcohol) and both crash risk and driver performance skills, taking into account work already completed by the Commonwealth, States and Territories. National ITS StrategyMinisters noted that consultations were under way for the national Intelligent Transport Systems strategy, with a draft expected to be available for the next ATC meeting. Top of Page Proposed Amendments to the IGAMinisters noted a proposal to amend the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) on National Rail Safety which will facilitate improved administration of rail safety requirements between State and Territory jurisdictions. Ministers noted that SCOT will further consider the amendments and bring them to the next ATC meeting. Amalgamation of Road and Rail Legislative Requirements for the Carriage of Dangerous GoodsMinisters requested the National Road Transport Commission to commence the amalgamation of the road and rail legislative frameworks for the transport of dangerous goods as soon as possible. Transport of Overweight and Oversize ContainersMinisters noted that the Austroads Overweight Containers Working Group intends to report to the next ATC meeting. Ministers also noted that Austroads is establishing a separate project to examine oversize containers. NRTC Chairman's Report and Implementation StrategyMinisters noted the National Road Transport Commission (NRTC) report on status of road transport reforms and accountabilities. Ministers agreed to take corrective action where slippage has occurred on particular reforms. They also noted the NRTC's intention to report in future on additional reforms and their timelines. Top of Page Increased Mass Limits for Road-Friendly Heavy VehiclesMinisters acknowledged the benefits from increasing heavy vehicle mass limits and noted that several jurisdictions agreed to implement the reform by 1 July 1999 or earlier subject to bridge funding. They noted the importance of implementing the reform according to a consistent national approach. NSW dissented. Ministers noted an undertaking by the Commonwealth government to seek to bring forward part of the announced $20 million funding for the upgrading of bridges and the Commonwealth Minister's commitment to seek further bridge funding. Ministers also requested the NRTC to provide further advice on the performance criteria for road-friendly suspensions. Australian Road RulesMinisters discussed several policy issues relating to the proposed Australian Road Rules and resolved to formally vote on the proposals by 29 January 1999. Updating Heavy Vehicle ChargesMinisters noted that the NRTC is currently consulting on updated heavy vehicle charges and that it would report to Ministers at the next ATC meeting, taking into account Commonwealth tax reform. NRTC Strategic Plan and Budget ForecastMinisters endorsed the NRTC's Strategic Plan for 1999/2000 - 2001/2002. Ministers noted that the Plan is based on the NRTC working in conjunction with a range of other organisations including road authorities, enforcement agencies, the road transport industry and the community. Motor Vehicle Environment Committee (MVEC) Strategic PlanMinisters endorsed the strategy of the Motor Vehicle Environment Committee which provides a coordinated approach to addressing motor vehicle environment issues over the next three years. Ministers noted the strategy will also be considered by the National Environment Protection Council at its meeting on 12 December 1998. Top of Page National road safety packageMinisters noted the final report on implementation of the National Road Safety Package that was endorsed by Council in May 1997. The Package aimed to deliver a range of road safety measures through an immediate and coordinated national effort. Ministers noted that the key aims of the Package had been achieved, in particular the adoption, by relevant jurisdictions, of a more consistent approach to enforcement and the setting of penalties for alcohol, speed and seat belt offences to adequately reflect the serious risks associated with these offences. Ministers referred the matter of speed risk, particularly in urban areas, to the National Road Safety Strategy Panel as a priority matter for consideration. Ministers also considered the outcomes of the National Road Safety Summit held in Canberra in September, another initiative of the Package. A revised Strategy is now to be developed with a view to its release in late 1999 or early in the year 2000. School bus safetyMinisters directed Austroads to provide a report on school bus safety in all jurisdictions to the next ATC. Top of Page Next MeetingThe next meeting of the Australian Transport Council will be held in South Australia on Friday 30 April 1999. MEMBERS ATTENDING MELBOURNEChair: The Hon Geoff Craige, Victorian Minister for Roads and Ports - The Hon John Anderson, Commonwealth Minister for Transport and Regional Services
- The Hon Robin Cooper, Victorian Minister for Transport
- The Hon Carl Scully, New South Wales Minister Transport and Roads
- The Hon Stephen Bredhauer, Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads
- The Hon Murray Criddle, Western Australian Minister for Transport
- The Hon Diana Laidlaw, South Australian Minister for Transport
- The Hon Paul Lennon, Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure, Energy and Resources
- The Hon Barry Coulter, Northern Territory Minister for Transport and Infrastructure
- Mr Brendan Smyth, Australian Capital Territory Minister for Urban Services
- The Hon Maurice Williamson, New Zealand Minister of Transport
OBSERVERS: - Mr Kipa Maleva, Papua-New Guinea
- Cr John Ross, Australian Local Government Association
APOLOGIES: - The Hon Kim Yeadon, New South Wales Minister for Ports
- The Hon Vincent Auali, Papua-New Guinea Minister for Transport
ALSO ATTENDING: - Mr Stuart Hicks, Chairman, National Road Transport Commission
- Mr John Stanley, Deputy Chairman, National Road Transport Commission
- Ms Caroline Ameduri, Commissioner, National Road Transport Commission
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