Transport policy and administration in Australia: issues and frameworks

Abstract

The Commonwealth Constitution establishes the parameters for transport policy and administration in Australia. The first part of this paper outlines this Constitutional structure. Section 2 reviews current issues in Australian transport, illustrating the significance of the Constitutional constraints and the administrative framework. This framework and its associated responsibilities is set out in detail in Sections 3 and 4, first with respect to the Commonwealth's transport interests and then with respect to the States. South Australia is used as an example in the latter context but significant differences between States are noted. The final section summarizes inter‐governmental transport research organizations and discusses the potential of the Inter‐State Commission provided for in the Constitution.