The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will undergo an independent external review conducted by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.
The review was announced today by TSB Chair, Wendy A. Tadros and ATSB Chief Commissioner, Martin Dolan.
Due to start his month, the TSB team will provide an independent assessment of the ATSB’s investigation methodology and processes, benchmark TSB investigation methodologies with the ATSB’s and compare them with international standards and examine how ATSB methodologies and processes have been applied to ATSB investigations and compare them with TSB approaches.
In a statement released to the media, Martin Dolan said the review would provide both organisations with a significant learning opportunity.
“I invited the TSB to conduct the review because we are always looking to improve our investigation systems and approaches,” he said. “I’m grateful that our Canadian colleagues have agreed.
“The review will identify best practices from both organisations that we can adopt to improve how we investigate accidents and occurrences and improve transport safety.
“The TSB is well placed to conduct this review as they have a similar legislative framework to the ATSB and a long-standing commitment to systemic investigation to improve safety.”
In answer to questions about the relationship between this review and the recent Senate inquiry into the Norfolk Island investigation, an ATSB spokesperson replied: "The ATSB has been in discussion with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada for some time about benchmarking and comparison of our systems of investigation.
"This was an initiative of the ATSB’s Chief Commissioner and the TSB’s Chair. That said, the TSB has agreed that their benchmarking review will have regard to the Senate Committee’s findings.
"Given that aviation remains our principal focus, it will have a particular emphasis on our aviation work."
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese, said he welcomed the review and pointed out that the process would be transparent.
"I welcome the Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s actions in inviting the Canadian Transportation Safety Bureau to undertake an independent review of the ATSB’s investigation methodologies and processes.
"The review ... will provide the ATSB with valuable insights and identify best practices from both organisations to improve the way in which the organisation undertakes investigations. This will be a transparent process with the report to be made available to the public early next year.
"The safety and security of the travelling public is the Federal Government’s number one aviation priority and a focus on continuous improvement by Australia’s aviation safety agencies is critical to this goal."