The Department of Infrastructure and Transport is an Australian Government department the purpose of which is to promote economic, social and regional development by enhancing Australia’s infrastructure and transport performance.^[1] Matters dealt with by the department include: infrastructure planning and coordination; transport safety and security; land transport; civil aviation and airports; and maritime transport including shipping.^[2]

The Department is headquartered in the Canberra central business district at Infrastructure House and the neighbouring building.^[3]

Overview of functions [edit]

Conducting analysis and research [edit]

The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) within the Department provides economic analysis, research and statistics on infrastructure, transport and regional development issues to inform Australian Government policy development and wider community understanding.^[4]

Investing in infrastructure [edit]

The Department coordinates transport and other infrastructure investment to support Australian economic productivity. The Department works with states and territories on transport and infrastructure planning to inform future investment priorities.^[5]:p.23 A major component of infrastructure investment for the Department is the Nation Building Program, with a budget of $408 million in 2012–13.^[5]:p.29

The Major cities Unit (MCU) within the Department contributes to infrastructure investment by providing advice to the Australian Government on issues of policy, planning and infrastructure that have an impact on Australian cities and suburbs.

Supporting transport security [edit]

The Department aims to ensure a secure Australian transport system against the threat of terrorist attack. Legislation administered by the Department mandates risk based preventive security outcomes in the aviation, air cargo, maritime and offshore oil and gas sectors.^[5]:p.40

The Office of Transport Security (OTS) within the Department is the Australian Government’s preventive security regulator for the aviation and maritime sectors, and its primary adviser on transport security.

Improving surface transport performance [edit]

Through the surface transport program, the Department seeks to improve the performance of the surface transport industry.^[5]:p.50 Some of the activities undertaken by the Department as part of this program include:

• working with state and territory governments to implement single rail, heavy vehicle and maritime national laws and national regulators;
• protecting sealife and the maritime environment through regulation and stakeholder engagement;
• establishing road safety policy aimed to improve heavy vehicle productivity and safety;
• administering several Tasmanian transport schemes, including the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme;
• conducting a review on Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport; and
• working towards implementing mandatory CO2 emission standards for light vehicles from 2015.^[5]:pp.50-51

Promoting road safety [edit]

Through the road safety program, the Department aims to contribute to the development of a safer road transport system by working to make vehicles and occupants safer, and drivers more informed. A key component of the road safetey program is vehicle safety, the Department regulate standards for road vehicles first entering the Australian market and through regulation delivers improved levels of vehicle safety, environmental performance and anti-theft protection.^[5]:pp.57

Regulating air transportation [edit]

The Department undertakes a range of functions to ensure the aviation industry operates within a clear and robust safety regulatory environment and that Australian businesses and consumers have access to competitive international and domestic air services. Functions include supporting the aviation safety framework, expanding aviation markets and managing the Government’s interests in airport infrastructure.^[5]:pp.63

Structure and staff [edit]

Organisation structure for the Department of Infrastructure and Transport, Australia (as at 2 March 2013)

The Department of Infrastructure and Transport is responsible to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, currently Anthony Albanese and the Minister for Road Safety, currently Catherine King.

The Department is administered by a senior executive, comprising a Secretary and two Deputy Secretaries.^[6]:p.11

The current Secretary is Mike Mrdak, appointed on 29 June 2009.^[7][8] Mr Mrdak began his public sector career in 1988 as a Graduate with the then Department of Transport and Communications.^[9] He holds a bachelor's degree in arts along with a graduate diploma in economics.^[10]

The Department has a staff of around 993 people (estimate for 2012-13),^[11] of which around 820 are employed in Canberra and four are based overseas.^[6]:p.100 The workforce of the Department has a reasonably even gender distribution (54% male, 46% female), but at more senior levels this ratio decreases.^[12] Around two-thirds of the Department holds a bachelor's degree or higher.^[12]

The Department works closely with several Australian Government agencies within its portfolio, including:

• the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB);
• the Australian Rail Track Corporation;
• Airservices Australia;
• the Australian Maritime Safety Authority;
• the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA); and
• the National Transport Commission.^[13]

History [edit]

The Department of Infrastructure and Transport was so named following the federal election in August 2010. At the time, the Department’s regional development and local government functions were transferred to the new Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government (DRARDLG).^[6]:p.2

Preceding departments with responsibility for infrastructure and/or transport include:

• the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (November 2007^[14] to August 2010).
• the Department of Transport and Regional Services (October 1998^[15] to November 2007).
• the Department of Transport and Regional Development (1996 - 1998))^[16]
• the Department of Transport (1993 - 1996)^[16]
• the Department of Transport and Communications (1987 to December 1993)^[17])^[16]
• the Department of Transport (1983 - 1987)^[16]
• the Department of Transport and Construction (1982 - 1983)^[16]
• the Department of Transport (1972 - 1982)^[16]
• the Department of Shipping and Transport (1951 - 1972)^[16]
• the Department of Civil Aviation (1938 - 1973)^[16]

See also [edit]

• Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
• List of Australian Commonwealth Government entities
• Transportation in Australia

References [edit]

External links [edit]

• Department of Infrastructure and Transport Website

v t e Departments of the Australian Government Australian Government Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Attorney-General's Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Defence Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Finance and Deregulation Foreign Affairs and Trade Health and Ageing Human Services Immigration and Citizenship Infrastructure and Transport Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education Prime Minister and Cabinet Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport Resources, Energy and Tourism Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Treasury Veterans' Affairs