Consistent with the Minister’s Statement of Expectations, the ATSB provides input into government inquiries reviewing the ATSB’s jurisdiction across different modes of transport. Below are recent submissions the ATSB has made to relevant government inquiries.

Independent Review of Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety Legislation and Costs and Charging Arrangements

Organisation conducting the inquiry

Independent reviewers, reporting to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government

Purpose of the inquiry

The Australian Government has commissioned an independent review to consider whether Australia’s legal framework regulating the safety of domestic commercial vessels is fit for purpose. The review is also to consider whether this regulatory framework is being delivered efficiently and effectively, and to consider options for future cost recovery arrangements.

Date of the ATSB's submission

5 April 2022

Summary of the ATSB's submission

This submission is a response to the consultation aid, released in February 2022, prepared for phase 1 of the independent review. The ATSB’s submission outlines matters for the reviewers to consider in relation to expanding the ATSB’s role.

Key points in the ATSB's submission

  • The ATSB does not have an agreed role in relation to DCVs.
  • In general terms, ATSB investigations improve safety.
  • The ATSB does not have resources to prepare a considered comment on whether expanding its remit to include DCVs would support substantially improved safety outcomes.
  • Any recommended change to the ATSB’s role should be considered in the context of any other jurisdictional expansion.

National Transport Regulatory Reform Inquiry draft report

Organisation conducting the inquiry

Productivity Commission

Purpose of the inquiry

The Australian Government has asked the Productivity Commission to assess the economic impact of reforms to transport regulation agreed to by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in 2008-09. Those reforms relate to heavy vehicle safety and productivity, rail safety and maritime safety. The Government has also asked the Commission to recommend further reforms towards a more integrated national market for transport services.

Date of the ATSB's submission

15 January 2020

Summary of the ATSB's submission

This submission is in response to the Productivity Commission’s Draft Report released on 12 November 2019. The ATSB’s submission addresses recommendations made in the Draft Report relating to the ATSB and the role of a no-blame transport safety investigator

Key points in the ATSB's submission

  • No-blame transport safety investigations can and do provide value in transport systems, identifying safety issues for the benefit of many.
  • The current rail resourcing model for the ATSB has effectiveness, efficiency and equality issues.
  • Any decision to expand the remit of the ATSB would need to be accompanied by careful planning, appropriate resourcing and realistic timeframes for implementation. There are also some legislative and logistical barriers to overcome. Expansion into more than one area would require extensive coordination between policy areas

National Transport Regulatory Reform Inquiry issues paper

Organisation conducting the inquiry

Productivity Commission

Purpose of the inquiry

The Australian Government has asked the Productivity Commission to assess the economic impact of reforms to transport regulation agreed to by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in 2008-09. Those reforms relate to heavy vehicle safety and productivity, rail safety and maritime safety. The Government has also asked the Commission to recommend further reforms towards a more integrated national market for transport services.

Date of the ATSB's submission

12 July 2019

Summary of the ATSB's submission

This submission is in response to the Productivity Commission’s Issues Paper released on 17 May 2019. The ATSB’s submission addresses the ATSB’s role in the reforms as the national transport safety investigator.

Key points in the ATSB's submission

  • As a general principle the ATSB acknowledges the value of having an independent no-blame safety investigation entity as part of the overall transport safety system.
  • The ATSB played an important part in the national transport reforms, taking on a significantly expanded role in rail.
  • In the context of the national transport reforms, there was no clear decision for the ATSB to be involved or not be involved in domestic commercial vessels, and no funding was allocated to the ATSB for this purpose.  
  • The ATSB does not have any role in heavy vehicle road safety.

Download submission PDFs

Documents
DCV Independent Review submission
This submission is a response to the consultation aid, released in February 2022
National Transport Regulatory Reform Inquiry
This submission is in response to the Productivity Commission’s Draft Report released on 12 November 2019
National Transport Regulatory Reform Inquiry
This submission is in response to the Productivity Commission’s Issues Paper released on 17 May 2019.