The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, The Hon
Anthony Albanese MP, has provided his Statement of Expectations for
the ATSB, for the period 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2013.
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Statement of Expectations
For the Australian Transport Safety Bureau
1 July 2011 to 30 June 2013
The Australian Government is committed to ensuring the Australian
Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) continues to be a global leader in
transport safety investigation, research and analysis, and
fostering public awareness of transport safety.
The strategic direction in this Statement is given in accordance
with my power under section 12AE of the Transport Safety
Investigation Act 2003 (the Act).
The functions of the ATSB under the Act include:
- receiving and assessing reports of transport safety matters,
reportable matters, and other safety information;
- independently investigating transport safety matters;
- indentifying 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 any one
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.
The Government expects the ATSB, while retaining operational
independence in discharging its functions, to remain an active and
effective participant in the transport policy and regulatory
framework, working effectively with the Department if
Infrastructure and Transport (the Department), other Government
agencies including the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Airservices
Australia, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, State rail
regulators, the future national rail safety regulator,, and the
transport industry.
My expectations are that the ATSB will:
1. Perform its functions in a manner that supports Government
transport safety policy, including the National Aviation Policy
White Paper (White Paper), by giving safety the highest
priority.
2. Continue to give priority to transport safety investigations
that have the potential to deliver the best safety outcomes for the
travelling public.
3. Implement policies, programs and other initiatives to enhance
transport safety, including:
a. Subject to available resources,
providing assistance to accident investigations in other countries,
in accordance with international protocols;
b. Supporting the Government's
transport safety agenda in the Asia/Pacific region;
c. Continuing to undertake an
appropriately-scoped research agenda informed by analysis of its
own safety data and investigation findings;
d. Providing me, as part of its
Annual Report, a status report on formal safety recommendations
issued by the ATSB; and
e. Continuing to review current
investigation policies and practices to ensure that the ATSB
retains its reputation as a best practice safety investigation
agency and its influence on the national and international safety
agenda.
4. Work collaboratively with the Department and Sate and
Territory agencies to ensure the ATSB is positioned and able to
operate as the single national investigator for rail and maritime
safety.
5. Provide timely and accurate assistance, information and
advice on safety issues to the Government, industry and the
community.
6. Adhere to a set of values and a code of conduct that maintain
high standards of professionalism, service, probity, reporting,
accountability and transparency, consistent with the Government's
commitment to excellence in the public sector.
Signed
ANTHONY ALBANESE
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
9 May 2011
