Transport Industry Safety Group - A regulators perspective Value to a Regulator I want share a selfish perspective with you. In my experience were you of a mind to initiate or facilitate a forum or meeting, whether it be an industry group or a community group, with choice of the right level of participant, ie, those with broader than “secular” interests – not given to playing politics with people’s lives ………….there are tangible benefits for participants from Government agencies and authorities. That is something of an attraction and a marketable quality.

Why the value? Regulator is able to participate as a stakeholder rather than a facilitator Access to industry stakeholders and other regulators in a constructive environment Establishment under the auspices of the office of the coroner sets a tone and structure that has its imperatives and is a high leverage alliance for all WHY THE VALUE? Regulators do not always have the opportunity to participate in their own forums as a stakeholder. In a transport safety environment there are generally multiple regulators running strategic interventions to improve safety. The work of the TISG, as an example, not only provides a forum to socialise that strategic work, but invites participation in discussion and information sharing across the industry and its regulators. The environment further provides a constructive and proactive environment for all participants. The group can come to the table unconstrained by “politics” within the bounds of commercial sensitivity and confidentiality. The relationship, formed as it is under the auspices of the Coroners office brings with it “cache” and weight to the work in which it engages. It empowers a pro-activity for the industry stakeholders and a shared engagement in issues rather than an arms length relationship with regulators expected to carry the entire compliance burden.

What is the value? Pools data resources and empirical experiences An agenda is shared and it is an opportunity to influence a broader agenda Can be a forum to reflect on other related business or the business environment of the participants Is a means for a Coroner to engage resources of all including the regulators WHAT IS THE VALUE? The value to a regulator is no better exemplified than the opportunity for pooling of data, coupled with empirical experience and anecdotal evidence, gaining a broader perspective than usually otherwise available. The agenda tends to be shared due to pressing necessity rather than imposed. For example, the broader aspects of transport safety (that is, road, rail, waterfront, workplace, inter-modality, community) mean that the agenda is broader and there is an opportunity to comment and influence on a wider range of activity and initiatives. The perspectives of stakeholders and regulators are more often shared. The prevailing business and political environments can be accounted for, negotiated, in exploration of decision making and adoptable safety strategies without cumbersome adherence to policy that each may have to observe. This too gives a broader significance to the forum context. But a significant value that should not be overlooked is the access a Coroner has to a range of resources that either she or he may be able to marshal around an issue or emerging trend. The shared direction of a strong stakeholder and regulator alliance is another powerful lever.

How is the value realised? Provides collaboration that can be more “fleet of foot” than the bureaucracy of a regulator can provide There is an “honesty” about it It represents a peak stakeholder forum inclusive of a range of regulators and authorities How is the value realised? The collaboration in such a forum provides scope to multi-badge information items and represent the alliance rather than each participant. A regulator is often fettered in the production of information by the requirements of the government of the day or the sensitivities to potential criticism, however remote. Often it is safer to not do anything. A Safety Group is able to produce information that is clearly advisory, it does not carry the badge of a sole regulator for whom it perhaps cements a policy and compliance imperative, but it will comprise compliance advice that is, again, a shared view and of value for that. A one stop shop. Other value? There is an honesty and directness in the Victorian group that is not just due to the characters of the participants. The environment, where all are there to pull together, brings with it an accountability to contribute views, resources, time and where appropriate funds, to the collaboration. Each is looking to get the most from their peers in what is understood to be a collective, a lobby group for safety. And finally the TISG represents a peak stakeholder group of people able and capable of making high level decisions and either committing resources or organising the resources of their respective associations and agencies around a problem. It is a powerful argument with a regulator when one is able to deliver the commitment of stakeholders on a shared issue.