TRANSPORT SAFETY INVESTIGATION ACT 2003

Table of Provisions

• Long Title

PART 1--PRELIMINARY

• 1 Short title  
• 2 Commencement  
• 3 Definitions  
• 4 Act binds the Crown  
• 5 External Territories  
• 6 Application outside Australia  
• 8 Application of Criminal Code  
• 10 Relationship with other laws  
• 11 Constitutional limitations on powers and functions  

PART 2--AUSTRALIAN--TRANSPORT SAFETY BUREAU

Division 1--Establishment, functions and powers of Bureau

• 12 Establishment of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB)  
• 12A Constitution of the ATSB  
• 12AA Functions of the ATSB  
• 12AB Independence of the ATSB and Chief Commissioner  
• 12AC Minimal disruption to transport services  
• 12AD International obligations  
• 12AE Minister may give the ATSB notices about its strategic direction  

Division 2--Appointment of Commissioners

• 13 Appointment  
• 13A Term of appointment  
• 13AA Remuneration and allowances  
• 13AB Leave of absence  
• 13AC Outside employment  
• 13AD Resignation  
• 13AE Disclosure of interests  
• 13AF Other terms and conditions  
• 13AG Termination of appointment  
• 13AH Acting Chief Commissioner  

Division 3--ATSB procedures

• 14 Times and places of meetings  
• 14A Conduct of meetings  
Subdivision B--Decisions without meetings
• 14AB Decisions without meetings  
• 14AC Record of decisions  

Division 4--Chief Executive Officer

• 15 Chief Executive Officer  
• 15A Functions of the Chief Executive Officer  

Division 5--Staff and consultants

• 16 Staff  
• 16A Staff to be made available to the ATSB  
• 16B Consultants  

PART 3--REPORTING--OF ACCIDENTS ETC.

Division 1--Compulsory reporting

• 18 Immediate reports  
• 19 Written reports within 72 hours  
• 20 Nominated officials for receiving reports  

Division 2--Voluntary reporting

• 20A Voluntary reporting scheme  

PART 4--INVESTIGATIONS--AND REPORTS

Division 1--Investigations

• 21 Investigations  
• 21A State or Territory Minister may request investigation of certain transport safety matters  
• 22 Restriction on investigations of transport safety matters  
• 23 Transport safety matters  
• 24 Offence to hinder etc. an investigation  

Division 2--Investigation reports

• 25 Reports on investigations  
• 25A Responses to reports of, or containing, safety recommendations  
• 26 Draft reports  
• 27 Reports not admissible in evidence  

PART 5--INVESTIGATION--POWERS

Division 1--Preliminary

• 28 Powers only exercisable in relation to an investigation  
• 29 Identity cards  
• 30 Obligations of Chief Commissioner before entering premises  
• 31 Powers conferred on magistrates  

Division 2--Requirement to attend before ATSB

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

Division 3--Powers in relation to premises

• 33 Power to enter special premises without consent or warrant  
• 34 Power to enter any premises with occupier's consent  
• 35 Power to enter any premises with warrant  
• 36 Powers after entering premises  
• 37 Occupier to provide Chief Commissioner with facilities and assistance  
• 38 Occupier entitled to be present during search  
• 39 Power to stop and detain transport vehicles  

Division 4--Investigation warrants

• 40 Issue of investigation warrants  
• 41 Investigation warrants by telephone, fax etc.  
• 42 False statements etc. in application for warrant etc.  

Division 5--Protection orders

• 43 Protection orders by Chief Commissioner  

Division 6--Securing accident sites

• 44 Securing accident sites  

Division 7--Miscellaneous

• 45 Retention, testing etc. of evidential material  
• 46 Compensation for damage to electronic equipment  
• 47 Self - incrimination not an excuse  

PART 6--PROTECTION--OF OBR INFORMATION AND RESTRICTED INFORMATION

Division 1--OBR information

• 48 Definition of OBR or on - board recording  
• 49 OBR ceasing to be an OBR under declaration of ATSB  
• 50 ATSB certificate about disclosure of OBR information  
• 51 Release of OBR information in the interests of transport safety  
• 52 ATSB may authorise persons to have access to OBR information  
• 53 Copying or disclosing OBR information  
• 54 OBR information no ground for disciplinary action  
• 55 OBR information not admissible in criminal proceedings against crew members  
• 56 Admissibility of OBR information in civil proceedings  
• 57 Examination by a court of OBR information under subsection 56(3)  
• 58 Where a court makes an order under subsection 56(3)  
• 59 Use of OBR information in coronial inquiries  

Division 2--Restricted information

• 60 Limitations on disclosure etc. of restricted information  
• 61 Release of restricted information in the interests of transport safety  
• 62 ATSB may authorise persons to have access to restricted information  

Division 3--Miscellaneous

• 63 Powers of Parliament and Royal Commissions not affected  

PART 6A--REPORTING--REQUIREMENTS

• 63A Annual report  

PART 7--MISCELLANEOUS

• 63B Delegation by the ATSB  
• 63C Delegation by the Chief Commissioner  
• 63D Delegation by the Chief Executive Officer  
• 63E Special investigators  
• 64 Immunity  
• 65 Certification of involvement in investigation  
• 66 Staff members etc. not compellable as witnesses  
• 67 Attendance fees where staff members etc. attend coronial inquiry  
• 68 Legal representation for staff members etc. at coronial inquiry  
• 69 Exercise of powers under State and Territory laws  
• 70 Compensation for acquisition of property  
• 71 Regulations