AUSTRALIAN DANGEROUS GOODS CODE

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (14:36): My question is to the Minister for Industrial Relations. Will the minister advise the council about a recent meeting hosted by South Australia regarding updates to the National Transport Commission's Australian Dangerous Goods Code for Road and Rail?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:37): On 27 and 28 February 2012, South Australia hosted the Transport of Dangerous Goods Maintenance Group meeting, which was attended by commonwealth and other state transport and safety jurisdictions. The meeting was chaired by the National Transport Commission and attended by representatives from the commonwealth Department of Infrastructure and Transport, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council.

The purpose of the meeting was to consider proposals to update the National Transport Commission's Australian Dangerous Goods Code for Road and Rail. The AGD Code has an important role in ensuring public safety through the safe transport of dangerous goods which have been classified due to their potential risks, including explosive, flammable, toxic and corrosive.

The ADG Code sets out requirements for transporting dangerous goods by road and rail and includes provisions for such things as vehicle requirements, documentation, segregation and storage, safety equipment, and procedures during transport and emergencies. The AGD Code is called up in the Dangerous Substances (Dangerous Goods Transport) Regulations 2008, which is law under the Dangerous Substances Act 1979 and regulates the transport of dangerous goods.

Because of South Australia's central location and its being the only jurisdiction that shares borders with five other states, dangerous goods transport is an important issue for this state. The requirements of the AGD Code as they relate to the transport of dangerous goods in South Australia are enforced by SafeWork SA occupational health and safety and dangerous substances inspectors, who perform a critical role in investigating accidents, incidents and complaints involving breaches of the dangerous substances regulations, as well as ensuring compliance through proactive campaigns such as roadside truck stops.

I had the pleasure in Ceduna of watching one of these roadside truck stops, and it was a very impressive campaign. These truck stops ensure that operators and drivers are meeting their safety obligations, including the safe transport of dangerous goods. The dangerous substance legislation is central to operators and drivers meeting their safety obligations and puts into sharp focus the important work of the various Australian jurisdictions, including SafeWork SA, in reviewing and providing technical advice on the ADG code to ensure the safety of our communities.