National Transport Commission (NTC) Chief Executive Nick Dimopoulos today welcomed the Council of Australian Governments’ (COAG) decision to implement national safety regulatory systems for the heavy vehicle, rail and maritime industries.

He said the historic commitment by First Ministers to work cooperatively on national micro-economic reform in transport will improve safety and the international competitiveness of Australia’s freight sector.

“Fragmented regulation has been a handbrake on the efficient end-to-end movement of people and goods since federation,” Mr Dimopoulos said.

“While significant progress has been made to harmonise cross-border transport regulations, today’s agreement is a significant step toward seamless national laws that are administered in the same way wherever you are in Australia.”

NTC will work with governments to progress a smooth transition to the new national arrangements; particularly the resolution of outstanding policy issues in the rail sector and the consolidation of national heavy vehicle laws.

NTC’s Final Regulatory Impact Statement for a Single, National Rail Safety Regulatory and Investigation Framework was developed through extensive public consultation with industry, unions and government.