Transport Policy, administration & decision-making in Australia

Responsibility for the operation, regulation and administration of transport in Australia is spread across three levels of government: the commonwealth (federal), six states, and local (municipal) governments. There are also two territories which, to differing extents, govern themselves internally in a manner similar to the states. These responsibilities for intrastate, interstate and international transport are described in this paper and the role of the private and public sectors in road, rail, air and sea transport is summarised. The activities of three levels of government are described, and the development of the transport organisations in the state of South Australia given as an example of Australian statewide transport infrastructure, with emphasis on transport planning and research and on managing transport integration and innovation. Significant differences between South Australia and other states are drawn out by examples eg, rail replacement bus services, regulation of intrastate air services and ferry links. The possible reactivation of the inter-state commission, which is provided for in the Australian constitution, is also discussed, and the inter governmental transport research organisations are summarised (a).