The ARA’s Safety Policy Group, made up of senior representatives from rail companies across the country, will meet next week to prepare a submission to the Rail Safety National Law (RSNL) review currently underway.
The National Transport Commission is leading the targeted, independent review of the RSNL to ensure it is fit for purpose, and takes into consideration the issues of interoperability and harmonisation.
The landmark RSNL was enacted in 2012, replacing 46 pieces of state, territory and Commonwealth legislation and creating the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR).
The review is an opportunity to look at how effective the law has been and will focus on:
- Whether the law best positions ONRSR to deliver its regulatory functions efficiently;
- If it is flexible enough to support the safety aspects of rail reform and the National Rail Action Plan’s focus on interoperability and harmonisation.
Aspects of the law to be considered include:
- Administration of the law;
- Transparency;
- Interaction with work health and safety legislation;
- Co-regulation;
- Roles and responsibilities;
- Flexibility.
The outcomes of the review will be presented to Australia’s transport ministers in mid-2024.
For more information, visit https://www.ntc.gov.au/review-rail-safety-national-law or contact ARA General Manager – Passenger Rail and Safety, Jesse Baker.