National Approach to Maritime Safety Regulation
Consultation Regulation Impact Statement
On 25 July 2008, Australia's transport ministers (ATC) agreed to recommend to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in October that, subject to the outcome of regulatory impact assessments, COAG endorse in-principle the establishment of a single national system for maritime safety regulation administered by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). Currently across Australia, maritime safety is regulated by more than 50 pieces of legislation administered by eight independent maritime safety agencies. The national system would be part of ATC's national action plan, A New Beginning for Transport, which encompasses a number of key national reforms designed to cut down red tape in the transport and logistics sector and deliver more consistency in the way transport is regulated across Australia.
Transport Ministers agreed that, subject to the outcome of the regulatory impact assessment, they support a national approach to maritime safety regulation and are inclined towards broadening the application of the Commonwealth Navigation Act 1912 to apply to all commercial vessels. This will involve AMSA becoming responsible for regulating vessel design, construction, equipment, vessel operation (eg safety management systems) and crew certification and manning. In exploring the arrangements which would underpin a national system, Ministers agreed to explore the option of existing State and Northern Territory maritime agencies being the delivery agents for regulatory services under individual agreements with AMSA.
The first step in the process to establish a single national system will involve the preparation of a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) for consideration by transport ministers in November. The purpose of the RIS is to ensure that any new or amended regulations avoid unnecessary compliance costs and restrictions on competition. The RIS is required to: describe the case for action; explore the range of regulatory options; assess the costs and benefits of alternative options; and to consult effectively with key stakeholders.
Attached is a consultation version of the RIS [
DOC: 153 KB] [
PDF: 125 KB] which will be used for consulting stakeholders. It is intended to generate feedback about the costs and benefits of the options which will be reported and assessed in the final RIS. The final RIS will include a detailed cost-benefit analysis, and recommend a preferred approach. Consultations will be held throughout September to October 2008 in all states and the Northern Territory.
The proposed schedule is as follows:
8 - 9 September Hobart, Launceston
11 September Perth
15-16 September Adelaide, Port Lincoln
22-24 September Cairns, Airlie Beach
26 September Brisbane
30 September - 2 October Warrnambool, Melbourne, Lakes Entrance
7 October Darwin
9 October Sydney
For further details on consultation arrangements, please contact your state maritime safety agency. The contact details of relevant officials is as follows: [DOC: 38 KB] [PDF: 12 KB]
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