A report by the Productivity Commission has described reform in the transport sector as ‘disappointingly slow’, saying there was a need to accelerate broader reforms for infrastructure investment.
Productivity Commissioner, Paul Lindwall said that after eight years the sector had largely achieved national consistency in the safety regulation of heavy vehicles, boats and trains, but more needed to be done.
“Creating national regulators and laws was ambitious and has taken longer than anticipated,” Mr Lindwall said.
“The pace of reform has picked up recently but more action is needed to deliver the expected safety and productivity gains.”
He said the gains from reform were modest, with the main benefits likely to be lower compliance costs for businesses and a lift in heavy vehicle productivity thanks to improved access to local roads.
“Regulatory reform has not come at the expense of safety — safety outcomes continue to improve in the road and rail sectors,” Mr Lindwall said.
“Fatalities in the rail sector have fallen by 50 per cent over the past 10 years. Crash rates for heavy vehicles continue their long-term decline.
“More efficient trucks and use of the road network are key to containing costs and congestion, with road freight expected to grow by about 50 per cent over the next 20 years.”
He said achieving the productivity gains predicted in 2011 would require much more than regulatory reform of safety.
“Governments need to continue and, in some cases accelerate, broader reforms to infrastructure investment, its use and management, and pricing of access,” Mr Lindwall said.
“Governments and industry also need to reap the benefits of technologies such as telematics. These offer exciting opportunities to improve safety and lift productivity.”
The Commission’s 380-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
