Government welcomes independent road safety inquiry

An independent inquiry initiated in September 2017 by the Liberal and Nationals’ Government into the National Road Safety Strategy (NRSS) 2011-2020 has been formally released today.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack accepted the inquiry report during an event at Parliament House in Canberra involving key industry stakeholders and officials.

This is the first inquiry into progress of the NRSS and Mr McCormack welcomed the report’s 12 key recommendations involving areas highlighted for potential improvements such as road safety leadership, resourcing, performance monitoring and innovative technology.

He said the independent report would now be considered by the Australian government with a formal response provided in due course.

“One road death or accident is one too many which is why the Liberal and Nationals’ Government supports any initiative to improve safety standards and reduce accidents and trauma,” Mr McCormack said.

“This is a great contribution to the national road safety conversation from an inquiry initiated due to concerns the National Road Safety Strategy, which was jointly agreed by the federal, state and territory governments, was not on track to reach its 2020 targets.

“Although we have seen modest reductions in the annual road toll in recent years, the Government acknowledges we can and must do more to reduce crash deaths and serious injuries.  One road death or accident is one too many.

“A bipartisan political approach now and into the future can only help to deliver better road safety outcomes and is one this government supports.

“The report reinforces why road safety must continue to be taken seriously by all stakeholders and that attitude is demonstrated through this Government’s ongoing actions and investments in pursuing targeted, responsible improvements which can and do change peoples’ lives.”

Mr McCormack said the Liberal and Nationals’ Government was committed to delivering ongoing national leadership in road safety to improve the nation’s road safety performance.

“Our record 10-year, $75 billion infrastructure investment pipeline delivered in this year’s budget includes $24.5 billion of new projects and initiatives,” he said.

“We will continue to work with states and territories to ensure new funding commitments enhance road safety, coupled with initiatives such as the Inland Rail which will ease pressure on our regional roads and highways.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility and something which should unite all Australians.”

Mr McCormack welcomed the report for responding to the most comprehensive and independent review undertaken into road safety in Australia.

“I would like to thank the co-Chairs, Associate Professor Jeremy Woolley and Dr John Crozier, as well as Principal Advisers Mr Lauchlan McIntosh AM and Mr Rob McInerney for their work on the inquiry,” he said.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues to formulate a considered response to the report which will be informed by discussions with state and territory ministers at the Transport and Infrastructure Council meeting in November.”

The NRSS Inquiry report is available from www.roadsafety.gov.au.

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