Progress made on review of national road safety governance

Another step was taken this week in actioning the 12 recommendations made by the National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020 Inquiry, according to the Federal Government.

Unveiled by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack, the Terms of Reference for the National Road Safety Governance Review was part of renewed and ongoing efforts by government agencies to reduce road trauma and prompt greater safety initiatives on the roads nationally.

Speaking at the Barton Highway in Murumbateman, New South Wales, Mr. McCormack said the Governance Review will assess the necessary changes needed to improve Australia’s road safety governance structure, including comprehensive mapping of specific roles, responsibilities and accountabilities held across agencies and jurisdictions.

“Co-ordination across State, Territory and Local governments will be the cornerstone of improving the governance arrangements around road safety and this was reinforced at the COAG Transport and Infrastructure Council meeting in November 2018,” Mr. McCormack said.

“The Review outcomes will also help to progress the Australian Government’s strategic infrastructure plan where $75 billion is being invested in projects big and small, over the next 10 years to improve transport infrastructure to help Australians and their families arrive at their destinations sooner and safer.”

As part of the stakeholder engagement the Review will involve benchmarking with the United Kingdom and Sweden, two countries recognised as international leaders in road safety.

Mr. McCormack’s department will drive the Road Safety Task Force which will receive additional support by the Road Safety Strategy Working Group – a group that consists of senior officials and road safety experts from various jurisdictions, as well as independent experts.

A draft report will be released in March 2019 and peer reviewed by independent experts.

The final report will then be tabled at a Transport and Infrastructure Council meeting scheduled for the first half of 2019.

Recommendations from the Governance Review will help to inform the Federal Government’s position on whether a single national road safety entity is required, as recommended by the National Road Safety Strategy Inquiry.

The Review will also consider what steps are required for governments and stakeholders to lead the implementation of the “Vision Zero” goal of reducing road fatalities to zero by 2050.

“Road safety is critically important and must remain above politics,” McCormack said.

Assistant Minister for Roads and Transport Scott Buchholz said the Review showed the Federal Government’s ongoing commitment to road safety and achieving the “Vision Zero” goal.

“Improving road safety remains a key priority of all our investment in road infrastructure across the country because better roads means saving lives,” said Buchholz.

“On top of the Coalition Government’s record investment in major highways, we continue to support local councils to upgrade local roads through the Roads to Recovery, Bridges Renewal and Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity programs,” he said.

“The Federal Government is taking positive action and continuing along a diligent, responsible and strategic pathway to achieve real and lasting road safety improvements throughout the nation.”