Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Transport Act 1983 - SECT 4

Objects and functions of Department

4. Objects and functions of Department



(1) The objects of the Department under this Act are-

   (a)  to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of transport facilities
        and networks to meet the needs of the community; and

   (b)  to ensure that a public transport system is provided in Victoria that
        is efficient, effective, safe and reliable and has due recognition for
        the needs and interests of the users of that system and the taxpayers
        of Victoria; and

   (c)  to ensure the achievement of optimum overall transport outcomes by
        undertaking integrated transport planning and integrated transport
        system and service development linked to the overall planning
        strategies and other policies of the Government.

(2) The functions of the Department under this Act are-





   (aa) to carry out efficiently and effectively any contract for the
        provision by a person or body of any transport services (including a
        service contract within the meaning of the
        Public Transport Competition Act 1995) that is entered into by the
        Crown or the Secretary or the Director on behalf of the Crown with
        that person or body or, having been entered into by the former
        Corporation with that person or body, is subsequently assigned by that
        Corporation to the Crown or the Secretary or the Director on behalf of
        the Crown;

   (a)  to develop, improve and co-ordinate the provision of transport
        services;

   (b)  to formulate transport policies and performance targets;

   (c)  to develop, co-ordinate, implement and monitor strategic plans and
        resource budgets for the Department and the Corporation;



   (ca) to develop policy for-

   (i)  public transport safety regulation and related matters; and

   (ii) the development of legislation relating to public transport safety
        regulation and related matters;

   (d)  to develop and implement co-ordinated personnel and industrial
        relations policies for the Corporation;



   (e)  to establish quantitative targets to be attained by the Corporation in
        the exercise of its functions;



   (f)  to develop, implement and monitor corporate financial management
        control techniques;

   (g)  to provide specialist property services for the development and sale
        of property of the Corporation;



   (h)  to provide project management services;

        (i)    to carry out investigations and to promote and undertake
               research into any matter related to the performance of its
               functions, powers or duties;

   (j)  to facilitate user, officer and public involvement in developing
        policies for the improvement, development and better co-ordination of
        transport;

   (k)  to buy, sell, lease or hire vehicles or other equipment;

   (l)  to lend or otherwise advance money to public or private bodies to
        assist those bodies to provide, improve or co-ordinate transport
        services;

   (m)  to assist public or private bodies to construct or improve transport
        facilities and to provide services ancillary to those facilities; and

   (n)  to do anything incidental or conducive to the performance of its
        objects and functions.



(3) In performing its objects and functions the Department shall have regard
to any economic and financial guidelines and criteria established by the
Minister administering Part 7 of the Financial Management Act 1994 for the
purpose of pursuing efficiency and effectiveness in the use of public sector
resources.

(4) Employees in the Department shall regularly consult with officers of the
Department of Treasury and Finance in order to ensure that the objects and
functions of the Department are being performed in a way that is co-ordinated
and consistent with similar activities in other sections of the public sector.