Main Index
CHAPTER 7
CONSULTATION AND ADVISORY BODIES
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CHAPTER 7 |
Motorcycle riders represent a broad spectrum of the Victorian population. Motorcycle riders range in age from less than 18 to over 70 years. Motorcycles are used for recreation, commuting, agriculture and general transport. Many motorcycle riders also drive cars. Motorcycle use is part of the accepted road transport system in this State.
In Australia, the paramount national advisory body on transport matters is the Australian Transport Advisory Council which comprises the Ministers for Transport of each state and territory and the Commonwealth. This is a consultative body which advises the Federal Minister for Transport, through the Ministers for Road Transport, about issues of national importance. For example, the Australian Transport Advisory Committee is responsible for negotiating Australian Design Rules but their approval lies with the Federal Minister for Land Transport. Motorcycle riders are represented on the Vehicle Standards Advisory Committee and the Licensing and Traffic Codes Committee which advise the Australian Transport Advisory Council.
The Australian Transport Advisory Council has established the National Road Trauma Advisory Council with specific responsibility for advising Federal and State governments, including the Australian Transport Advisory Council, on road safety issues. [1]
Some of the roles of the Australian Road Transport Advisory Council have been subsumed by the National Road Transport Commission which was established after the Special Premiers Conference of July 1991. The Commission's objectives include development of a national system of road regulations which promote safety and efficiency. The functions of the Commission are enshrined in the National Road Transport Commission Act 1991 (Cth). [2]
Within Victoria, the supreme road safety body is the joint Ministerial Taskforce comprising the Ministers for Transport and Police and Emergency Services supported by the Ministers for Health and Education.
The joint Ministerial Taskforce has established a Co-ordinating Council on Road Safety comprising a Chairperson and representatives of the Transport Accident Commission, VicRoads, Victoria Police, Monash University Accident Research Centre, the Department of Transport and the Department of Police and Emergency Services and Department of Health.
Two sub-committees of the Road Safety Co-ordinating Council have been established; one is responsible for the co-ordinated implementation of road safety communication and promotion programs, taking into account enforcement and other related activities. The other is responsible for identifying specific road safety measures and reviewing the scientific data in relation to the potential effectiveness of road safety measures covering:
This second, New Countermeasures and Initiatives Consultative Committee, includes the President of the Motorcycle Riders Association.
Four further sub-committees have been established under the general umbrella of the Co-ordinating Council on Road Safety. These are:
The Motorcycle Riders Association is represented on the Safer Road Use Sub-Committee.
The Subordinate Legislation Act 1983 provides further opportunity for motorcycle riders to express their views about regulations which affect them.
The motorcycle riders have their own set of representative agencies. At the federal level, there are two representative bodies, the Motorcycle Riders Association of Australia and the Australian Motorcycle Council. In Victoria, motorcycle riders have been represented at this Inquiry by the Motorcycle Riders Association of Australia, the Australian Motorcycle Council and specialist motorcycle user groups such as AMTRA Motorcycle Trail Riders Association, Antique Motorcycle Club of Australia, Bikers Rights, BSA Motorcycle Owners Club and Harley Owners Group of Victoria.
The motorcycle industry is represented by two bodies. The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries represents the six motorcycle manufacturers who import motorcycles into Australia. [3] The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce represents about 5 000 retail automotive industry employers.
The Committee is of the view that any special body established to co-ordinate motorcycle safety issues should fit into the existing structures. Drivers other than motorcycle riders are responsible for about 70% of multi-vehicle collisions in which a motorcycle rider is injured. Motorcycle rider safety should not be open to isolation from funding and other support available to other road safety issues. The Road Safety Co-ordinating Council sub-committee structure provides the opportunity to integrate motorcycle safety into mainstream programs.
At the outset of the Inquiry, the Social Development Committee heard evidence which indicated that VicRoads and other government agencies needed to improve their capacity to listen to and communicate with the broad group of people who choose to ride motorcycles.
Mr J. Nelson, a member of the Motorcycle Riders Association and a VicRoads motorcycle instructor, in a submission to the Inquiry, amplified the frustration that motorcycle riders felt with the bureaucracy, stating:
Effective consultation does not exist. Government road safety bodies like to be seen to consult, but do not listen to rider representatives. Road safety authorities have dismissed calls by rider groups for a safe road environment. They have misled Transport Ministers into believing that motorcyclists do not know what is good for them. We have been described as a 'lunatic fringe'. There must be respect for the years of experience held by our representatives. There is only contempt and disregard for the ones who see the blood spilled on the roads. The 'safetycrats' are the ones with blood on their hands. Anyone who knows when a department is wrong, is silenced by the department, for the sake of departmental policy and the career of the person responsible. [4]
Similarly, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce complained about very poor consultation between Government and the motorcycle industry. Its submission stated:
The general opinion of the industry is that the Government has not been interested in its viewpoint and has often introduced proposals without any thought for the ramifications of such proposals on the industry. Too often, ill informed decisions are made by governments which could have been avoided if consideration was given to the expert opinions readily available through industry bodies.
Unfortunately, changes in personnel often cause a breakdown in relations and communications between various government bodies and the industry. [5]
During the course of the Inquiry there has been a genuine effort by some people representing VicRoads to meet these needs. These efforts are acknowledged but they are isolated and not enough. Senior representatives of VicRoads do not seem to understand the problems which are faced by motorcycle riders in making their voice heard in the bureaucracy. In May 1991, Mr P. Lowe, then Director of Road Safety, VicRoads, responded to a question from the Social Development Committee:
DR VAUGHAN. MP: Can we get an undertaking ... that all the consultations in a national forum be set in train?
MR LOWE: I give that undertaking. I was not trying to dodge the undertaking. [6]
By March 1992, Mr Lowe had been replaced by Mr D. Anderson. Mr Anderson told the Committee:
The Working Party has not yet been established... Since I have attended the meetings (of the New Countermeasures and Initiatives Consultative Committee) that issue has not been raised; I can only say that I shall raise it and try to make progress. [7]
Given the importance of motorcycle safety in Victoria, VicRoads and other agencies still need to put a major effort into understanding the safety and other needs of motorcycle riders. The Committee believes that the current system of consultation between motorcycle riders and government is not yet able to deliver an assurance that motorcycle safety is being taken seriously and that motorcycle travel is being treated as a respectable means of travel by others involved in developing road safety policy.
The Committee suggests a three-pronged approach to extending further the consultation and advisory functions of VicRoads and the Transport Accident Commission:
Representation of the motorcycle industry in the consultative process is different from that of riders because the industry has a direct, economic interest in the outcome of any policy decisions affecting motorcycle design. Therefore, industry representation is needed on committees which address vehicle design issues. This should not be at the expense of rider seats.
The Committee is also concerned about similar conflict of interest issues on other consultative road safety committees in Victoria. For example, the Monash University Accident Research Centre, which plays an important evaluative role in this state, sits on the Road Safety Coordinating Council with the organisations from whom it seeks funding in the competitive consultancy market and whose programs it seeks to evaluate.
To the extent that it is necessary, VicRoads should utilise experienced motorcycle riders to provide specialist advice. Their qualification is experience rather than education.
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The Committee recommends that:
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Committee Room
11 May 1993.