The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional
Development and Local Government, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, has
provided his Statement of Expectations for the ATSB, for the period
1 October 2009 to 30 June 2011.
___________
Statement of Expectations
For the Commission of the Australian Transport Safety
Bureau
1 October 2009 to 30 June 2011
The establishment of the Commission and the Australian Transport
Safety Bureau (ATSB) as an independent statutory authority
underlines the Australian Government's commitment to ensuring the
ATSB continues to be a global leader in transport safety
investigation, research and analysis, and fostering public
awareness of transport safety.
The strategic direction and guidance in this Statement is given
in accordance with my powers under section 12AE of the
Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 (the Act) and is
intended to clarify the broader Government policy framework in
which the Commission and the ATSB operate.
Governance
The functions of the ATSB under the Act include:
- receiving and assessing reports of transport safety matters,
reportable matters, and other safety information that is prescribed
by the regulations;
- independently investigating transport safety matters;
- identifying factors that:
- contribute, or have contributed, to transport safety matters;
or
- affect, or might affect, transport safety;
- communicating those factors to relevant sectors of the
transport industry and the public in any way, including in anyone
or more of the following ways:
- by making safety action statements;
- by making safety recommendations;
- by issuing safety advisory notices;
- reporting publicly on those investigations; and
- conducting public educational programs about matters relating
to transport safety.
With the ATSB's separation from the Department of
Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local
Government (the Department), the Commission has a responsibility to
ensure the ATSB remains an active and effective participant in the
transport policy and regulatory framework, working effectively with
industry and other agencies while retaining its operational
independence.
Government priorities
In releasing the Aviation Green Paper last year, I made clear that
safety is paramount across all transport sectors and that high
quality transport safety investigation and research into transport
accidents and incidents are important elements of Australia's
safety system. I expect the ATSB to continue to give priority to
transport safety investigations that have the potential to deliver
the best safety outcomes for the travelling public. I also expect
the ATSB to be prepared to provide occasional assistance to
accident investigations in other countries, in accordance with
international protocols. The ATSB will also need to prepare to meet
the Council of Australian Governments' commitment for it to be the
preferred investigator of rail accidents.
Portfolio and other
relationships
While maintaining its independence, the ATSB should work with my
office, the Department and other Australian Government agencies,
including the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Airservices
Australia and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA),
towards the common goal of improving transport safety. I expect the
ATSB will retain a close and constructive working relationship with
the Department and ask the Commission to have particular regard to
building strengthened working relationships with CASA and AMSA.
I also expect the ATSB to engage constructively in processes
from time to time where it can provide information, assistance or
advice on safety issues and any other government processes that may
require ATSB's transport safety expertise. The interests of the
travelling public are best served by cooperative working
relationships between the various Commonwealth and State Government
agencies with responsibility for safety matters.
Parliament
The ATSB has a responsibility to provide advice on its operations
to me, the Parliament and, through the Parliament, the Australian
public. Timely and accurate advice in response to requests for
input to ministerial representations, parliamentary questions and
other information and briefing should be given high priority. I
note the ATSB has additional responsibilities in these respects
flowing from its creation as a separate statutory authority.
Conclusion
I look forward to working with the Commission as you confront the
challenging times ahead. I am confident I will receive your support
and cooperation in achieving the goals outlined in this Statement.
In this regard, I ask that you provide me with a statement of
intentions within four months, outlining your program for meeting
these expectations, including your performance milestones.