House of Representatives Committees

Standing Committee on Communications, Transport and the Arts

Review of progress in rail reform

The House Committee on Communications, Transport and the Arts has completed a review of progress in rail reform and on 11 May 2001 presented its report to the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The report, Back on Track, is an assessment of whether the rail reform benchmarks established by the Commonwealth Government in its April 2000 response to three reports on rail reform will be achieved.

The Committee has concluded that they will not be achieved without direct and forceful Commonwealth intervention. Back on Track reports the strongly held view of the industry that governments around the country must act to:

establish a coherent national planning process for the rail industry;

develop consistent track access and pricing arrangements;

harmonise operational and safety standards; and

develop integrated accreditation procedures.

Media release ('After 100 years of talking about rail reform Commonwealth must take over interstate rail') (PDF format)

Media backgrounder ('Back on Track: context and key evidence') (PDF format)

Report

Seminar transcript (PDF format)