Dr Natalie Pelham will commence her new role as chief executive of the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator in early November. Photo: Office of Transport Safety Investigations.
The search for Australia’s next National Rail Safety Regulator is over, with Dr Natalie Pelham named chief executive of the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR).
The role has been vacant since Sue McCarrey left ONRSR in December last year and the search began for the national regulator’s third-ever chief executive.
Most recently, Dr Pelham has served as chief investigator at the NSW Office of Transport Safety Investigations since January 2021.
South Australian Infrastructure and Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said Dr Pelham would be a strong leader for ONRSR and a great advocate and activist for rail safety.
“Dr Pelham has more than 25 years in the public service leading significant safety regulation, policy, strategy and reform at both state and national levels,” he said.
“Her experience across the regulatory spectrum gives her the ideal skillset and under her leadership ONRSR will continue to deliver for the people of Australia.
“I look forward to working with her and progressing an exciting national rail safety agenda.”
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King also paid tribute to Dr Pelham.
“I welcome Dr Pelham to this vital role and look forward to continuing to work with ONRSR as they continue to promote and improve national rail safety,” she said.
The ONRSR was formed in 2013 when seven state and territory regulatory bodies were brought together under the national banner by the Rail Safety National Law (South Australia) Act 2012.
Since then, the Australian rail industry has benefitted from a range of national reforms including a consolidated accreditation process and a risk-based national work program of audits and inspections.
The ONRSR has also overseen significant improvements to the quality and availability of rail safety data now being harnessed to drive improved decision-making by both industry and governments.
“Rail connects communities and is a major carrier of goods in Australia, being responsible for around 49 per cent of our total domestic freight – making it an important part of our economy and way of life,” Minister King said.
“ONRSR plays an important role enforcing and promoting safe railway operations, to ensure that all those working on and using railways get home safely after each shift or trip.”
Minister Koutsantonis added, “A great deal has been achieved over the first decade of national rail regulation and there is great potential for us to drive further safety and efficiency reforms.”
