<p>Federal legislation has been introduced giving the Australian Transport Safety Bureau power to investigate any train accident on the interstate network.</p> <p>In the past, states conducted their own inquiries and the bureau could only step in if asked or granted permission.</p> <p>Transport minister John Anderson said: "An important way of improving [rail] safety is to ensure there is an independent and public investigation of accidents and incidents by an organisation that can make hard-hitting recommendations where necessary."</p> <br />
