National maritime regulator benefits must be demonstrated, says Victoria

A spokesman for roads and ports minister Tim Pallas told Lloyd's List DCN yesterday that the government supported "the goal of national harmonisation of maritime safety regulation, however the safety of Victorians must be our main priority in any such decision".

"Victoria has one of the best maritime safety records in the country.

"We have concerns about handing regulation of maritime safety within Victorian borders to a national body unless clear and significant benefits can be demonstrated – with an uncompromising focus on safety outcomes.

"We are happy to continue working with the Commonwealth and other states on this issue."

The spokesman would not be drawn on the detailed reasons for Victoria's stance.

The Australian Transport Council agreed last week to advise the Council of Australian Governments on single national regulators covering rail safety, maritime safety and heavy vehicles, and a national investigator for rail accidents, by 2013.

Industry bodies have questioned the forward date and it seems negotiations on harmonisation detail may be a reason why it was put forward.

Meanwhile, the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has expressed concern that the Victorian Government had limited its endorsement of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority becoming the sole national regulator for national maritime safety.

"Victoria's move undermines the unified national regulatory arrangements for the commercial maritime sector and the MUA will be taking the matter up with Mr Pallas," national secretary Paddy Crumlin said.

The MUA joined the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) in questioning the implementation deadline.

It felt that the proposed implementation date of 2013 could mean that Australia missed an opportunity to revitalise its domestic and international maritime industry.

"We really need to see this national regulatory leadership taken well before 2013", Mr Crumlin said.

"As the economic cycle bottoms, there is a window of a year or two to make regulatory and fiscal changes to provide incentives to invest in new tonnage for the medium to longer term."

The ARA had said the industry was concerned that the announced timetable was "far too long", giving states until 2013 to fully implement the National Rail Safety Regulator arrangements.

"Industry is ready now for the national regulator and Investigator – and we believe full implementation can be achieved at the latest by January 1, 2012," an ARA spokesman said.  

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