Australia is just months away from our first National Rail Safety Regulator with New South Wales passing legislation overnight to join the national rail safety system.
NSW joins South Australia and Tasmania in passing this legislation which will deliver national consistency and maximum safety.
From January next year, for the first time in Australia’s history, our railways will come under a single safety regulator with one set of national regulations.
Across the board, the Federal Labor Government’s transport reforms will see 23 state-based maritime, rail and heavy vehicle regulators reduced to just three.
Our transport reforms will boost national income by up to $30 billion over the next 20 years by ending the need for unnecessary paperwork and multiple fees on the industry.
The national rail safety regulator, headed up by Rob Andrews, will be based in Adelaide and have oversight of the country’s urban passenger rail networks and interstate freight operations.
For over 110 years, our railways have been governed by multiple sets of rules and laws which have created confusing red tape and duplication.
From January, you will be able to drive a train from Brisbane to Melbourne and operate under the same safety laws and that's good for drivers, passengers and the broader public.
This is a major safety and productivity reform and shows what can be achieved through cooperation between federal, state and territory governments.
The remaining states and territories are expected to deliver legislation through their parliaments to join the new national system in the coming months.