The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) recently met with its New Zealand counterpart the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC), to discuss transport safety matters in the region.
The visit to TAIC’s headquarters in Wellington last week afforded ATSB Chief Commissioner Greg Hood, TAIC Chief Commissioner Jane Meares, and Commissioners from both agencies, the opportunity to share information relating to transport safety trends, and discuss several high-profile investigations.
Chief Commissioner Hood said the visit was a valuable opportunity to learn from each other’s investigation experiences.
“The ATSB and the TAIC have the same mission of improving transport safety for the benefit of the travelling public,” Mr Hood said.
“While we go about this in our own ways, it is valuable to understand how a different approach can bring different insights and strengths to an investigation. It was also helpful to discuss the challenges we both encounter during investigations, and the ways in which we overcome them.”
The meeting allowed the Chief Commissioners to sign a revised Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), re-affirming that in the event of a major accident, each agency stands ready to offer support and assistance.
“The strong relationship between the ATSB and the TAIC makes for safer transport within our region, and we are committed to working together to make it even safer,” Mr Hood said.
“Transport safety investigation is a unique endeavour, and we are anticipating that a closer relationship will allow us to share safety outcomes more effectively.”
The ATSB and the TAIC are continuing to work closely on a range of opportunities for the mutual development of their investigation capabilities.
Photos - Colin McDiarmid