Scope
Information about the department's functions and/or government funding allocation could be found in the Administrative Arrangements Orders, the annual Portfolio Budget Statements, in the department's annual reports and on the departmental website. According to the Administrative Arrangements Order (AAO) made on 14 September 2010, the department dealt with: * Infrastructure planning and co-ordination * Transport safety, including investigations * Land transport * Civil aviation and airports * Transport security * Maritime transport including shipping * Major projects facilitationIntended outcomes of the department
The department worked to help the Government of the day achieve its policy objectives by contributing to, and reporting against two key outcomes. The 2011–12 departmental annual report identified the two outcomes as: # Improved infrastructure across Australia through investment in and coordination of transport and other infrastructure. # An efficient, sustainable, competitive, safe and secure transport system for all transport users through regulation, financial assistance and safety investigations.Functions of the department
Conducting analysis and research
The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) within the department provided economic analysis, research and statistics on infrastructure, transport and regional development issues to inform Australian Government policy development and wider community understanding.Investing in infrastructure
The department coordinated transport and other infrastructure investment to support Australian economic productivity. The department worked with states and territories on transport and infrastructure planning to inform investment priorities of the day. A major component of infrastructure investment for the department was the Nation Building Program, with an annual administered expenses budget of $463 million in 2013–14. The Major cities Unit (MCU) within the department contributed to infrastructure investment by providing advice to the Australian Government on issues of policy, planning and infrastructure that affected Australian cities and suburbs.Supporting transport security
The department aimed to ensure a secure Australian transport system against the threat of terrorist attack. Legislation administered by the department mandated risk-based preventive security outcomes in the aviation, air cargo, maritime and offshore oil and gas sectors. The Office of Transport Security (OTS) within the department was the Australian Government’s preventive security regulator for the aviation and maritime sectors, and its primary adviser on transport security.Improving surface transport performance
Through the surface transport program, the department sought to improve the performance of the surface transport industry. Some of the activities undertaken by the department as part of this program included: * working with state and territory governments to implement single rail, heavy vehicle and maritime national laws and national regulators; * protecting sealife and the maritime environment through regulation and stakeholder engagement; * establishing road safety policy aimed to improve heavy vehicle productivity and safety; * administering several Tasmanian transport schemes, including thePromoting road safety
Through the road safety program, the department aimed to contribute to the development of a safer road transport system by working to make vehicles and occupants safer, and drivers more informed. A key component of the road safety program was vehicle safety, the department regulated standards for road vehicles first entering the Australian market and through regulation delivered improved levels of vehicle safety, environmental performance and anti-theft protection.Regulating air transportation
The department undertook a range of functions to ensure the aviation industry operated within a clear and robust safety regulatory environment and that Australian businesses and consumers had access to competitive international and domestic air services. Functions included supporting the aviation safety framework, expanding aviation markets and managing the Government’s interests in airport infrastructure.Departmental structure
Budget and Finance
In the Department's 2013–14 budget statements, expenses were categorised as either departmental or administered expenses. Departmental expenses were those within the control of the relevant agency, whereas administered expenses were those administered on behalf of the Government. Expenses could be broken down as follows:Audit of expenditures
The department's financial statements were audited by theReferences
{{reflist Infrastructure and Transport Ministries established in 2010 2013 disestablishments in Australia Government agencies disestablished in 2013 Defunct transport organisations based in Australia