NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY GOVERNANCE REVIEW ANNOUNCED

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack has announced a new Review of National Road Safety Governance.

The Review is one of 12 recommendations put forward by the independent inquiry into the National Road Safety Strategy (NRSS) 2011-2020, initiated by the Australian Government in September 2017.

Undertaking the Governance Review is an important step in improving capability and accountability, as well as informing how best to implement other recommendations of the NRSS inquiry made by the Independent Panel in their report handed down last month.

Mr McCormack said it was important for work on the Governance Review to start as soon as possible, and that he would be discussing the scope of the review with state and territory ministers when the COAG Transport and Infrastructure Council has its first consideration of the Inquiry Report next month.

“I want to ensure broad consultation on the terms of reference, including with the Inquiry Panel and other stakeholders, ahead of release before the end of the year,” he said.

Delivering the Governance Review is a vital first step in following through on the NRSS inquiry’s 12 recommendations and progresses the Australian Government’s agenda to invest strategically in infrastructure, to ensure Australians and their families arrive at their destinations sooner and safer.

The first inquiry into progress of the NRSS highlighted areas for potential improvements which can reduce road deaths and trauma such as: road safety leadership; resourcing; performance monitoring; and innovative technology.

Mr McCormack announced the Review of National Road Safety Governance before 600 guests from the industry, at last night’s Australasian Road Safety Conference dinner in Sydney, where major awards were presented honouring road safety achievements.

This recognition included Associate Professor Jeremy Woolley, Director of the Centre for Automotive Safety Research, and Dr John Crozier, Chair of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Trauma Committee.

Associate Professor Woolley and Dr Crozier – Co-Chairs of the NRSS Inquiry Panel – were presented with the prestigious 2018 Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) Fellowship at last night’s awards ceremony.

Mr McCormack said Associate Professor Woolley and Dr Crozier are both passionate road safety advocates with great expertise and the Fellowships acknowledged their high-level and ongoing contributions to improve road safety throughout Australia.

“I am particularly delighted to acknowledge Associate Professor Woolley and Dr Crozier for claiming this honour which recognises their outstanding work and leadership over many years to deliver better road safety outcomes, of which they can both be especially proud,” he said.

Mr McCormack also presented the major road safety award to a Northern Territory indigenous program which was recognised for changing attitudes and behaviours towards the use of proper child car restraints.

The Northern Territory Motor Accidents Compensation Commission project, led by Team Leader Christine Thiel, won Australasia’s premier road safety award, the 3M-ACRS Diamond Road Safety Award, for exemplary innovation and effectiveness to save lives and injuries on roads.

The program has reduced the incidence of death and serious injury of children aged seven and under through the increased use of properly fitted child restraints.

Mr McCormack said the awards showcased the breadth and diversity of the great work being done to reduce road trauma and increase road safety throughout the community.

“The Liberals and Nationals’ Government takes road safety seriously and understands the importance of awards such as this to help develop and encourage industry leadership and to deliver better outcomes,” he said.

“I’d especially like to congratulate Christine Thiel and the team from the Northern Territory MACC project for winning the major road safety award which has contributed to a reduction in the number of deaths and serious injuries of indigenous children in regional Australia, through the installation of properly fitted child restraints.”

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