Victoria to introduce new marine, rail safety regime

<p>The Victorian Government has abandoned its individual transport safety authorities to follow international trends and form a new overarching safety body encompassing rail and maritime safety.</p> <p>Transport minister Peter Batchelor said the Transport Legislation Safety (Investigations Bill) 2005 would, for the first time, establish Victoria’s own dedicated and expert unit to conduct major investigations into rail and marine safety.</p> <p>A related bill, the Rail Safety Bill 2005, would deliver a new and better approach for regulating rail safety, he said.</p> <p>The rail bill boosts powers to require all those working in the rail sector to better identify and manage potential safety risks that are within their control.</p> <p>Mr Batchelor said that at present, where incidents occurred on the national rail system or concerned international or interstate shipping, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau in Canberra or the marine or public transport safety regulators might conduct safety investigations.</p> <p>"A thorough review has indicated serious rail and marine accidents should be investigated at a state level independently of existing safety regulators," Mr Batchelor said.</p> <p>"This will avoid potential conflicts of interest and complement the role of the ATSB."</p> <p>The Office of Chief Investigator Transport and Marine Safety Investigations would conduct systemic investigations that were independent, impartial and unbiased, he said.</p> <br />