Australia Yearbook - 2001

Chapter 23—Transport 823
The company has its headquarters in Melbourne,
with extensive laboratory and testing facilities,
and an office in Perth to service customers in
Western Australia and the Indian Ocean Rim.
In addition to addressing Australia’s transport
problems, ARRB Transport Research has a rapidly
growing export business, with products sold in
over 60 countries.
National Road Transport Commission
(NRTC)
The National Road Transport Commission
(NRTC) is a small, independent body which was
established in 1991. Its charter is to develop
nationally uniform or consistent policies and
practices that improve the safety and efficiency of
road transport, and reduce its environmental
impacts and the costs of administration. The
NRTC and its national transport legislation were
to have expired in January 1998 but have been
extended until 2004.
Transport reforms are developed in close
consultation with Commonwealth Government,
the State and Territory Governments, the road
transport industry, road user groups and other
interested persons and organisations, for
approval by Australia’s Transport Ministers.
Rail
Australasian Railway Association
The Australasian Railway Association was founded
in 1994 and provides leadership in promoting a
competitive rail industry for the benefit of its
members and the wider community. It currently
represents 140 members from both the public
and private sectors. It is now established as the
peak industry body for the rail industry in
Australia and New Zealand.
Water
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
(AMSA)
AMSA is a government business enterprise
established under the Australian Maritime Safety
Authority Act 1990 on 1 January 1991. AMSA is
responsible, on behalf of the Commonwealth
Government, for the regulation and safety
oversight of Australia’s shipping fleet and
management of Australia’s international maritime
obligations. AMSA is funded largely through levies
on the shipping industry.
Air
Airservices Australia
Airservices Australia, established in July 1995
under the Air Services Act 1995, isa
Government-owned commercial authority
responsible for the management of air traffic
control over 11% of the world’s surface. Its
principal functions are: air traffic control and
airspace management; aeronautical information;
communications; radio navigation aids; search
and rescue alerting; and airport rescue and fire
fighting services.
Airservices Australia works with other
Government organisations concerned with
aviation policy, safety and regulation in Australia,
namely the Department of Transport and
Regional Services, the Civil Aviation Safety
Authority and the Bureau of Air Safety
Investigation.
Airservices Australia has a prominent role in the
implementation of the global Communications,
Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic
Management (CNS/ATM) system, which uses
satellite technology to provide a more efficient air
traffic system.
Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
CASA was established as an independent
statutory authority on 6 July 1995. Its primary
focus is delivering aviation safety to the Australian
public. It does this by: setting aviation standards
and rules; licensing pilots and aviation engineers;
certifying aircraft and operators; carrying out
safety surveillance; enforcing safety standards and
rules; providing regulatory oversight of the
national airways system, air traffic services and
rescue and fire fighting services; and actively
assisting the aviation industry to maintain high
safety levels through education, training advice
and consultation.
CASA reports to the Federal Minister for
Transport and Regional Services.
International organisations
Australia is one of the 185 members (as at
31 July 2000) of the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) and is a member of the
33 member governing Council. Australia is also
represented on the 15 member Air Navigation
Commission which is responsible for drafting
international standards and procedures for the
safety and efficiency of air navigation. In addition,
Australia participates in the South Pacific Forum,