The Queensland Government has joined the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) bringing the rail industry one step closer to the creation of a national safety regulator.
CEO of the Australasian Railway Association (ARA), Danny Broad, said, “Queensland joining ONRSR is an important step in the establishment of a national rail safety regulator, something the rail industry has called for over the past decade.
“It is great for industry to have ONRSR as the rail safety regulator in all Australian States and Territories.”
However, after more than a decade of discussion there is one missing piece of the jigsaw. The rail industry believes a national regulator must be just that and calls on Victoria to move from the current service level agreement to join ONRSR. In doing so Victoria needs to bring light rail and all tourism and heritage operations under ONRSR not the Victorian safety regulator.
ARA members want a truly national rail safety regulator without any additional cost of regulation.
“It is critical Victoria follow all other jurisdictions and join ONRSR to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of ONRSR,” Mr Broad said.
