Contents

Part 1--Preliminary                                                                                                              1

1............ Short title [see Note 1] ........................................................................ 1

2............ Commencement ................................................................................... 1

3............ Definitions .......................................................................................... 2

4............ Act binds the Crown ........................................................................... 9

5............ External Territories .............................................................................. 9

6............ Application outside Australia .............................................................. 9

8............ Application of Criminal Code ............................................................. 9

10.......... Relationship with other laws ............................................................. 10

11.......... Constitutional limitations on powers and functions ........................... 10

Part 2--Australian Transport Safety Bureau                                                     13

Division 1--Establishment, functions and powers of Bureau                 13

12.......... Establishment of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) ... 13

12A....... Constitution of the ATSB ................................................................. 13

12AA.... Functions of the ATSB ..................................................................... 13

12AB.... Independence of the ATSB and Chief Commissioner ....................... 15

12AC.... Minimal disruption to transport services ........................................... 15

12AD.... International obligations .................................................................... 15

12AE..... Minister may give the ATSB notices about its strategic direction ..... 16

Division 2--Appointment of Commissioners                                                   17

13.......... Appointment ..................................................................................... 17

13A....... Term of appointment ......................................................................... 17

13AA.... Remuneration and allowances ........................................................... 17

13AB.... Leave of absence ............................................................................... 18

13AC.... Outside employment ......................................................................... 18

13AD.... Resignation ....................................................................................... 18

13AE..... Disclosure of interests to the Minister ............................................... 18

13AF..... Other terms and conditions ............................................................... 19

13AG.... Termination of appointment .............................................................. 19

13AH.... Acting Chief Commissioner .............................................................. 20

Division 3--ATSB procedures                                                                                21

Subdivision A--Meetings                                                                                        21

14.......... Times and places of meetings ............................................................ 21

14A....... Conduct of meetings ......................................................................... 21

14AA.... Disclosure of interests ....................................................................... 22

Subdivision B--Decisions without meetings                                                       22

14AB.... Decisions without meetings .............................................................. 22

14AC.... Record of decisions ........................................................................... 23

Division 4--Chief Executive Officer                                                                   24

15.......... Chief Executive Officer ..................................................................... 24

15A....... Functions of the Chief Executive Officer .......................................... 24

Division 5--Staff and consultants                                                                         25

16.......... Staff .................................................................................................. 25

16A....... Staff to be made available to the ATSB ............................................. 25

16B....... Consultants ....................................................................................... 26

Part 3--Reporting of accidents etc.                                                                           27

Division 1--Compulsory reporting                                                                      27

18.......... Immediate reports .............................................................................. 27

19.......... Written reports within 72 hours ........................................................ 27

20.......... Nominated officials for receiving reports .......................................... 29

Division 2--Voluntary reporting                                                                          30

20A....... Voluntary reporting scheme .............................................................. 30

Part 4--Investigations and reports                                                                             31

Division 1--Investigations                                                                                        31

21.......... Investigations .................................................................................... 31

22.......... Restriction on investigations of transport safety matters ................... 31

23.......... Transport safety matters .................................................................... 32

24.......... Offence to hinder etc. an investigation .............................................. 33

Division 2--Investigation reports                                                                         35

25.......... Reports on investigations .................................................................. 35

25A....... Responses to reports of, or containing, safety recommendations ...... 35

26.......... Draft reports ...................................................................................... 36

27.......... Reports not admissible in evidence ................................................... 38

Part 5--Investigation powers                                                                                         39

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                             39

28.......... Powers only exercisable in relation to an investigation ..................... 39

29.......... Identity cards ..................................................................................... 39

30.......... Obligations of Chief Commissioner before entering premises .......... 40

31.......... Powers conferred on magistrates ...................................................... 40

Division 2--Requirement to attend before ATSB                                        41

32.......... ATSB may require persons to attend and answer questions etc. ....... 41

Division 3--Powers in relation to premises                                                     43

33.......... Power to enter special premises without consent or warrant ............. 43

34.......... Power to enter any premises with occupier's consent ....................... 43

35.......... Power to enter any premises with warrant ........................................ 43

36.......... Powers after entering premises ......................................................... 44

37.......... Occupier to provide Chief Commissioner with facilities and assistance 46

38.......... Occupier entitled to be present during search .................................... 46

39.......... Power to stop and detain transport vehicles ...................................... 46

Division 4--Investigation warrants                                                                     48

40.......... Issue of investigation warrants .......................................................... 48

41.......... Investigation warrants by telephone, fax etc. ..................................... 49

42.......... False statements etc. in application for warrant etc. ........................... 51

Division 5--Protection orders                                                                                53

43.......... Protection orders by Chief Commissioner ........................................ 53

Division 6--Securing accident sites                                                                      54

44.......... Securing accident sites ...................................................................... 54

Division 7--Miscellaneous                                                                                        55

45.......... Retention, testing etc. of evidential material ....................................... 55

46.......... Compensation for damage to electronic equipment ........................... 56

47.......... Self-incrimination not an excuse ....................................................... 57

Part 6--Protection of OBR information and restricted information    58

Division 1--OBR information                                                                                 58

48.......... Definition of OBR or on-board recording ........................................ 58

49.......... OBR ceasing to be an OBR under declaration of ATSB ................... 59

50.......... ATSB certificate about disclosure of OBR information .................... 60

51.......... Release of OBR information in the interests of transport safety ........ 60

52.......... ATSB may authorise persons to have access to OBR information ... 60

53.......... Copying or disclosing OBR information .......................................... 60

54.......... OBR information no ground for disciplinary action .......................... 62

55.......... OBR information not admissible in criminal proceedings against crew members     62

56.......... Admissibility of OBR information in civil proceedings .................... 62

57.......... Examination by a court of OBR information under subsection 56(3) 63

58.......... Where a court makes an order under subsection 56(3) ...................... 63

59.......... Use of OBR information in coronial inquiries .................................. 64

Division 2--Restricted information                                                                     65

60.......... Limitations on disclosure etc. of restricted information ..................... 65

61.......... Release of restricted information in the interests of transport safety .. 66

62.......... ATSB may authorise persons to have access to restricted information 67

Division 3--Miscellaneous                                                                                        68

63.......... Powers of Parliament and Royal Commissions not affected ............. 68

Part 6A--Reporting requirements                                                                             69

63A....... Annual report .................................................................................... 69

Part 7--Miscellaneous                                                                                                        70

63B....... Delegation by the ATSB ................................................................... 70

63C....... Delegation by the Chief Commissioner ............................................. 71

63D....... Delegation by the Chief Executive Officer ........................................ 72

63E........ Special investigators .......................................................................... 73

64.......... Immunity ........................................................................................... 73

65.......... Certification of involvement in investigation ..................................... 73

66.......... Staff members etc. not compellable as witnesses .............................. 74

67.......... Attendance fees where staff members etc. attend coronial inquiry .... 74

68.......... Legal representation for staff members etc. at coronial inquiry ......... 74

69.......... Exercise of powers under State and Territory laws ........................... 75

70.......... Compensation for acquisition of property ......................................... 75

71.......... Regulations ....................................................................................... 76

Notes                                                                                                                                              77

  

Notes to the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003

Note 1

The Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 as shown in this compilation comprises Act No. 18, 2003 amended as indicated in the Tables below.

For all relevant information pertaining to application, saving or transitional provisions see Table A.

Table of Acts

Act	Number and year	Date of Assent	Date of commencement	Application, saving or transitional provisions
Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003	18, 2003	11 Apr 2003	Ss. 3-71: 1 July 2003 (see Gazette 2003, No. S229) Remainder: Royal Assent
Transport Safety Investigation Amendment Act 2009	20, 2009	26 Mar 2009	Schedule 1 (items 1-24, 26-67, 104-109) and Schedule 2: 1 July 2009 Schedule 1 (item 25): (a)	Sch. 1 (items 104-109)
Aviation Legislation Amendment (2008 Measures No. 2) Act 2009	26, 2009	26 Mar 2009	Schedule 1 (items 12-24): 1 July 2009 Schedule 1 (items 27-29): Royal Assent	Sch. 1 (items 27-29)
Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011	46, 2011	27 June 2011	Schedule 2 (items 1165-1169) and Schedule 3 (items 10, 11): 27 Dec 2011	Sch. 3 (items 10, 11)

(a)     Subsection 2(1) (item 3) of the Transport Safety Investigation Amendment Act 2009 provides as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

 

Commencement information
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3
Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
3.  Schedule 1, item 25	Immediately after the commencement of item 20 of Schedule 1 to the Aviation Legislation Amendment (2008 Measures No. 2) Act 2009.	1 July 2009

Table of Amendments

ad. = added or inserted     am. = amended     rep. = repealed     rs. = repealed and substituted
Provision affected	How affected
Part 1
S. 3......................................	am. Nos. 20 and 26, 2009
S. 7......................................	rep. No. 20, 2009
S. 9......................................	rep. No. 26, 2009
S. 11....................................	am. No. 20, 2009
Part 2
Part 2...................................	rs. No. 20, 2009
Division 1
S. 12....................................	rs. No. 20, 2009
S. 12A..................................	ad. No. 20, 2009
Ss. 12AA-12AE...................	ad. No. 20, 2009
Division 2
S. 13....................................	rs. No. 20, 2009
S. 13A..................................	ad. No. 20, 2009
Note to s. 13A(2)................	am. No. 46, 2011
Ss. 13AA-13AG..................	ad. No. 20, 2009
S. 13AH...............................	ad. No. 20, 2009
	am. No. 46, 2011
Note to s. 13AH(1)..............	ad. No. 46, 2011
Division 3
Subdivision A
S. 14....................................	rs. No. 20, 2009
S. 14A..................................	ad. No. 20, 2009
S. 14AA................................	ad. No. 20, 2009
Subdivision B
Ss. 14AB, 14AC...................	ad. No. 20, 2009
Division 4
S. 15....................................	rs. No. 20, 2009
S. 15A..................................	ad. No. 20, 2009
Division 5
S. 16....................................	rs. No. 20, 2009
Ss. 16A, 16B........................	ad. No. 20, 2009
S. 17....................................	rep. No. 20, 2009
Part 3
Heading to Part 3...............	rs. No. 20, 2009
Division 1
Heading to Div. 1 of Part 3	ad. No. 20, 2009
S. 18....................................	am. No. 26, 2009
S. 19....................................	am. Nos. 20 and 26, 2009
Division 2
Div. 2 of Part 3....................	ad. No. 20, 2009
S. 20A..................................	ad. No. 20, 2009
Part 4
Division 1
Ss. 21, 22............................	am. No. 20, 2009
S. 24....................................	am. Nos. 20 and 26, 2009
Division 2
S. 25....................................	am. No. 20, 2009
S. 25A..................................	ad. No. 20, 2009
S. 26....................................	am. Nos. 20 and 26, 2009
Part 5
Division 1
S. 29....................................	am. Nos. 20 and 26, 2009
Note to s. 29(1)...................	am. No. 20, 2009
Heading to s. 30.................	am. No. 20, 2009
S. 30....................................	am. No. 20, 2009
Division 2
Heading to Div. 2 of Part 5	rs. No. 20, 2009
Heading to s. 32.................	am. No. 20, 2009
S. 32....................................	am. Nos. 20 and 26, 2009
Division 3
Ss. 33-35............................	am. No. 20, 2009
S. 36....................................	am. Nos. 20 and 26, 2009
Heading to s. 37.................	am. No. 20, 2009
S. 37....................................	am. Nos. 20 and 26, 2009
S. 39....................................	am. No. 20, 2009
Division 4
S. 40....................................	am. No. 20, 2009
Subhead. to s. 41(6)...........	am. No. 20, 2009
S. 41....................................	am. No. 20, 2009
S. 42....................................	am. Nos. 20 and 26, 2009
Note to s. 42(1)...................	rs. No. 20, 2009
Division 5
Heading to s. 43.................	am. No. 20, 2009
S. 43....................................	am. Nos. 20 and 26, 2009
Division 6
S. 44....................................	am. Nos. 20 and 26, 2009
Division 7
S. 45....................................	am. No. 20, 2009
Part 6
Division 1
Heading to s. 49.................	am. No. 20, 2009
S. 49....................................	am. No. 20, 2009
Heading to s. 50.................	am. No. 20, 2009
Ss. 50, 51............................	am. No. 20, 2009
Heading to s. 52.................	am. No. 20, 2009
S. 52....................................	am. No. 20, 2009
S. 53....................................	am. Nos. 20 and 26, 2009
S. 56....................................	am. No. 20, 2009
S. 59....................................	am. Nos. 20 and 26, 2009
Division 2
S. 60....................................	am. Nos. 20 and 26, 2009
S. 61....................................	am. No. 20, 2009
Heading to s. 62.................	am. No. 20, 2009
S. 62....................................	am. No. 20, 2009
Part 6A
Part 6A.................................	ad. No. 20, 2009
S. 63A..................................	ad. No. 20, 2009
Part 7
S. 63B..................................	ad. No. 20, 2009
Note to s. 63B(3)................	am. No. 46, 2011
S. 63C..................................	ad. No. 20, 2009
Note to s. 63C(2)................	am. No. 46, 2011
Ss. 63D, 63E.......................	ad. No. 20, 2009
S. 65....................................	rs. No. 20, 2009
S. 66....................................	am. No. 20, 2009
Heading to s. 67.................	am. No. 20, 2009
S. 67....................................	am. No. 20, 2009
Ss. 68, 69............................	rs. No. 20, 2009

Table A

Application, saving or transitional provisions

Transport Safety Investigation Amendment Act 2009 (No. 20, 2009)

Schedule 1

104  Definitions

In this Part:

ATSB has the same meaning as in the new law.

Chief Commissioner has the same meaning as in the new law.

Executive Director has the same meaning as in the old law.

new law means the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 as in force immediately after this item commences.

old law means the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 as in force immediately before this item commences.

105  Continuation of existing investigations under the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003

(1)       If, before 1 July 2009, the Executive Director was conducting an investigation under the old law, then the ATSB may continue the investigation.

(2)       Anything done by, or in relation to, the Executive Director under such an investigation is taken, for the purposes of the operation of any law on and after 1 July 2009, to have been done by, or in relation to, the ATSB or the Chief Commissioner, as the case requires.

(3)       The Minister may, by writing, determine that subitem (2) does not apply in relation to a specified thing done by, or in relation to, the Executive Director.

(4)       To avoid doubt, doing a thing includes making an instrument.

(5)       A determination under subitem (3) is not a legislative instrument.

106  Exercise of powers in relation to completed investigations

The ATSB, or the Chief Commissioner, may perform functions or exercise powers under:

                     (a)  the old law; or

                     (b)  Part 2A of the Air Navigation Act 1920 (as continued in force by clause 2 of Schedule 1 to the Transport Safety Investigation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2003); or

                     (c)  the Navigation (Marine Casualty) Regulations 1990 (as continued in force by subitem 108(2) of this Schedule);

in relation to an investigation that was completed before 1 July 2009 under any of those laws.

107  Performance of functions and exercise of powers in relation to voluntary reporting schemes

The ATSB, or the Chief Commissioner, may perform functions or exercise powers conferred on the Executive Director under:

                     (a)  the Navigation (Confidential Marine Reporting Scheme) Regulations 2008; and

                     (b)  the Air Navigation (Confidential Reporting) Regulations 2006; and

                     (c)  Division 13.K.1 of Part 13 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998;

on and after the date that this item commences until the regulations mentioned in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) are repealed.

108  Validation of acts done under investigations conducted under the Navigation Act 1912

(1)       To avoid doubt, any thing done by a person:

                     (a)  in the performance or purported performance of a function; or

                     (b)  in the exercise or purported exercise of a power;

under an investigation conducted under the Navigation (Marine Casualty) Regulations 1990 is taken always to have been validly performed or exercised, as it would have been had paragraph 425(1)(ea) and subsection 425(1AAA) of the Navigation Act 1912 not been repealed by items 8 and 9 of the Transport Safety Investigation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2003.

(2)       For the purpose of paragraph 106(c) of this Part, paragraph 425(1)(ea) and subsection 425(1AAA) of the Navigation Act 1912 continue in force, despite their repeal by items 8 and 9 of the Transport Safety Investigation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2003.

109  Saving regulations

The repeal of Part 2 of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 by item 24 of this Schedule does not affect the continuity of any regulations made for the purposes of section 17 of that Act.

Aviation Legislation Amendment (2008 Measures No. 2) Act 2009
(No. 26, 2009)

Schedule 1

27  Application of amendments of section 18 of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003

The amendments made by items 15 to 18 apply in relation to immediately reportable matters that occur on or after the commencement of Part 3 of this Schedule.

28  Application of amendments of section 19 of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003

The amendments made by items 19 and 20 apply in relation to immediately reportable matters and routine reportable matters that occur on or after the commencement of Part 3 of this Schedule.

29  Application of amendment of section 24 of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003

The amendment made by item 21 applies in relation to conduct engaged in on or after the commencement of Part 3 of this Schedule.

Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011 (No. 46, 2011)

Schedule 3

10  Saving--appointments

The amendments made by Schedule 2 do not affect the validity of an appointment that was made under an Act before the commencement of this item and that was in force immediately before that commencement.

11  Transitional regulations

The Governor-General may make regulations prescribing matters of a transitional nature (including prescribing any saving or application provisions) relating to the amendments and repeals made by Schedules 1 and 2.