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Home Parliamentary Business Committees Senate Committees Senate Standing Committees on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Completed inquiries and reports Completed Inquiries Pre 1999 TABLE OF CONTENTS
In this section
  • Senate Committees
    • Making a submission
    • Attending a public hearing
    • Senate committee activity
    • Appropriations, Staffing and Security
    • Community Affairs
    • Economics
    • Education and Employment
    • Environment and Communications
    • Finance and Public Administration
    • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
    • Legal and Constitutional Affairs
    • Measuring Outcomes for First Nations Communities
    • PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances)
    • Privileges
    • Procedure
    • Publications
    • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport
      • Recent reports
      • Annual Reports
      • Additional estimates 2024–25
      • Annual reports (No. 1 of 2025)
      • National Organic Standard Bill 2024
      • Sydney Airport Demand Management Amendment Bill 2024 [Provisions]
      • Shutdown of the 3G mobile network
      • Additional estimates 2023-24
      • Agriculture (Biosecurity Protection) Levies Bill 2024 [Provisions] and related bills
      • Impact and mitigation of aircraft noise
      • Airline Passenger Protections (Pay on Delay) Bill 2024
      • Annual reports (No. 2 of 2023)
      • Annual reports (No. 1 of 2024)
      • Annual reports (No. 2 of 2024)
      • Budget estimates 2024–25
      • Red Imported Fire Ants in Australia
      • Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment (Strengthening Measures to Prevent Illegal Timber Trade) Bill 2024 [Provisions]
      • Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Bill 2023 [Provisions] and related bills
      • Australian winegrape purchases code of conduct
      • Budget Estimates 2023-24
      • Australia’s preparedness to host Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games
      • Annual reports (No. 1 of 2023)
      • Bank closures in regional Australia
      • Lapsed inquiries
      • Inquiries lapsed
      • Role of the Committee
      • Upcoming hearings
      • Export Control Bill 2019 and related bills [provisions]
      • Australia's general aviation industry
      • The feasibility of a National Horse Traceability Register for all horses
      • The policy, regulatory, taxation, administrative and funding priorities for Australian shipping
      • Performance of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority
      • Customs Legislation Amendment (Commercial Greyhound Export and Import Prohibition) Bill 2021
      • Project known as the Iron Boomerang
      • Inspector-General of Live Animal Exports Amendment (Animal Welfare) Bill 2023
      • Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2023 [Provisions]
      • Adequacy of Australia’s biosecurity measures and response preparedness, in particular with respect to foot-and-mouth disease
      • The fisheries quota system
      • Fisheries quota system
      • Biosecurity Amendment (Advanced Compliance Measures) Bill 2023 [Provisions]
      • Agriculture Legislation Amendment (Streamlining Administration) Bill 2019
      • Export Market Development Grants Legislation Amendment Bill 2020 [provisions]
      • Civil Aviation (Unmanned Aircraft Levy) Bill 2020 and Civil Aviation Amendment (Unmanned Aircraft Levy Collection and Payment) Bill 2020 [Provisions]
      • Biosecurity Amendment (Traveller Declarations and Other Measures) Bill 2020 [Provisions]
      • Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Amendment (Dairy Cattle Export Charge) Bill 2020 [Provisions]
      • Water Legislation Amendment (Inspector-General of Water Compliance and Other Measures) Act 2021
      • Performance of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority
      • Importance of a viable, safe, sustainable and efficient road transport industry
      • Feasibility of a National Horse Traceability Register for all horses
      • The future of Australia’s aviation sector, in the context of COVID-19 and conditions post pandemic
      • Transport Security Amendment (Serious Crime) Bill 2020
      • Identification of leading practices in ensuring evidence-based regulation of farm practices that impact water quality outcomes in the Great Barrier Reef
      • Policy, regulatory, taxation, administrative and funding priorities for Australian shipping
      • Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority Board and Other Improvements) Bill 2019 [Provisions]
      • Federal Government’s response to the drought, and the adequacy and appropriateness of policies and measures to support farmers, regional communities and the Australian economy
      • Management of the Inland Rail project by the Australian Rail Track Corporation and the Commonwealth Government
      • Biosecurity Amendment (Enhanced Risk Management) Bill 2021 [provisions]
      • Definitions of meat and other animal products
      • Performance of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, and in particular its report on the June 2017 crash of a flight conducted on behalf of Angel Flight Australia
      • Performance of Australia's dairy industry and the profitability of Australian dairy farmers since deregulation in 2000
      • Farm Household Support Amendment (Relief Measures) Bill (No. 1) 2019 [Provisions]
      • Export Control Amendment (Banning Cotton Exports to Ensure Water Security) Bill 2019
      • Performance of Airservices Australia
      • Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2019 [provisions] and the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Amendment Bill 2019 [provisions]
      • The independence of regulatory decisions made by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA)
      • The provision of rescue, firefighting and emergency response at Australian airports
      • The provision of rescue, firefighting and emergency response at Australian airports
      • The integrity of the water market in the Murray-Darling Basin
      • Regulatory requirements that impact on the safe use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, Unmanned Aerial Systems and associated systems.
      • The operation, regulation and funding of air route service delivery to rural, regional and remote communities
      • Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Streamlining Regulation) Bill 2018
      • The need for regulation of mobility scooters, also known as motorised wheelchairs
      • Regulatory approaches to ensure the safety of pet food
      • Air Services Amendment Bill 2018
      • Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Amendment Bill 2018
      • Water Amendment Bill 2018
      • Road Vehicle Standards Bill 2018 and related bills [provisions]
      • Airports Amendment Bill 2016 [Provisions]
      • Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Amendment Bill 2017 [Provisions]
      • Regional Investment Corporation Bill 2017 (Provisions)
      • Seafood and seafood products
      • Aspects of road safety in Australia
      • State of Australia's rail industry
      • Effect of market consolidation on the red meat processing sector
      • Increasing use of so-called Flag of Convenience shipping in Australia
      • Airport and aviation security
      • Future role and contribution of regional capitals to Australia
      • Australian grape and wine industry
      • Australia's rail industry
      • Transport Security Amendment (Serious or Organised Crime) Bill 2016 [Provisions]
      • Food Standards Amendment (Fish Labelling) Bill 2015
      • Decision to commit funding to the Perth Freight Link project
      • Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Amendment Bill 2016
      • Effect of market consolidation on the red meat processing sector
      • Increasing use of so-called Flag of Convenience shipping in Australia
      • Shipping Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 [Provisions]
      • Voice for Animals (Independent Office of Animal Welfare) Bill 2015
      • Water Amendment (Review Implementation and Other Measures) Bill 2015 [Provisions]
      • Criminal Code Amendment (Animal Protection) Bill 2015
      • Performance of Airservices Australia
      • Australian grain networks
      • Australia's transport energy resilience and sustainability
      • Current and future arrangements for the marketing of Australian sugar
      • Future role and contribution of regional capitals to Australia
      • Industry structures and systems governing the imposition of and disbursement of marketing and research and development (R&D) levies in the agricultural sector
      • Biosecurity Bill 2014 and related Bills
      • Rural Research and Development Legislation Amendment Bill 2014
      • Infrastructure Australia Amendment (Cost Benefit Analysis and Other Measures) Bill 2014
      • Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Removing Re-approval and Re-registration) Bill 2014
      • Land Transport Infrastructure Amendment Bill 2014
      • Infrastructure Australia Amendment Bill 2013
      • The current requirements for labelling of seafood and seafood products
      • Role of public transport in delivering productivity outcomes
      • Industry structures and systems governing levies on grass-fed cattle
      • Implications of the restriction on the use of fenthion on Australia’s horticultural industry
      • Future of the beekeeping and pollination service industries in Australia
      • The proposed importation of potatoes from New Zealand
      • The effect on Australian ginger growers of importing fresh ginger from Fiji
      • The effect on Australian pineapple growers of importing fresh pineapple from Malaysia
      • Qantas' future as a strong national carrier supporting jobs in Australia
      • The ownership arrangements of grain handling
      • Beef Imports into Australia
      • Biosecurity Bill 2012 and the Inspector-General of Biosecurity Bill 2012
      • Voice for Animals (Independent Office of Animal Welfare) Bill 2013 [No. 2]
    • Scrutiny of Bills
    • Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation
    • Selection of Bills
    • Senators' Interests
    • Senate Committee Membership
    • Senate committee evidence, parliamentary privilege and Royal Commissions
    • Senate Committees: Upcoming Public Hearings
    • Today's public hearings
    • Recent Senate Committee reports
    • Former Senate Committees
    • Government responses outstanding to committee reports

TABLE OF CONTENTS

REPORT ON THE BREW REPORT AND ON THE CONTINUING ROLE OF THE COMMONWEALTH IN THE AUSTRALIAN RAIL INDUSTRY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Glossary

Members of the Committee

Summary of Rail Proposals

CHAPTER 1:
OVERVIEW OF THE INQUIRY

CHAPTER 2:
THE BREW REPORT

CHAPTER 3:
OBERVATIONS ON THE BREW REPORT

CHAPTER 4:
THE OPERATION POSITIONS OF AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL RAILWAYS (AN) & NATIONAL RAIL CORPORATION (NR)

CHAPTER 5:
ISSUES CONSIDERED DURING THE INQUIRY

CHAPTER 6:
OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THE COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT FOR A CONTINUING ROLE IN THE AUSTRALIAN RAIL INDUSTRY

CHAPTER 7:
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

GOVERNMENT SENATORS' ALTERNATIVE POSITION

ADDENDUM BY SENATOR MURRAY ON BEHALF OF THE AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRATS

Appendices

Appendix 1 Submissions

Appendix 2 Witnesses

Appendix 3 Review of Australian National Railways Commission and National Rail Corporation (Executive Summary)

A copy of Appendix 3 may be obtained from Committee Secretariat.

Telephone: (06) 277 3510

In this section
  • Senate Committees
    • Making a submission
    • Attending a public hearing
    • Senate committee activity
    • Appropriations, Staffing and Security
    • Community Affairs
    • Economics
    • Education and Employment
    • Environment and Communications
    • Finance and Public Administration
    • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
    • Legal and Constitutional Affairs
    • Measuring Outcomes for First Nations Communities
    • PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances)
    • Privileges
    • Procedure
    • Publications
    • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport
      • Recent reports
      • Annual Reports
      • Additional estimates 2024–25
      • Annual reports (No. 1 of 2025)
      • National Organic Standard Bill 2024
      • Sydney Airport Demand Management Amendment Bill 2024 [Provisions]
      • Shutdown of the 3G mobile network
      • Additional estimates 2023-24
      • Agriculture (Biosecurity Protection) Levies Bill 2024 [Provisions] and related bills
      • Impact and mitigation of aircraft noise
      • Airline Passenger Protections (Pay on Delay) Bill 2024
      • Annual reports (No. 2 of 2023)
      • Annual reports (No. 1 of 2024)
      • Annual reports (No. 2 of 2024)
      • Budget estimates 2024–25
      • Red Imported Fire Ants in Australia
      • Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment (Strengthening Measures to Prevent Illegal Timber Trade) Bill 2024 [Provisions]
      • Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Bill 2023 [Provisions] and related bills
      • Australian winegrape purchases code of conduct
      • Budget Estimates 2023-24
      • Australia’s preparedness to host Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games
      • Annual reports (No. 1 of 2023)
      • Bank closures in regional Australia
      • Lapsed inquiries
      • Inquiries lapsed
      • Role of the Committee
      • Upcoming hearings
      • Export Control Bill 2019 and related bills [provisions]
      • Australia's general aviation industry
      • The feasibility of a National Horse Traceability Register for all horses
      • The policy, regulatory, taxation, administrative and funding priorities for Australian shipping
      • Performance of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority
      • Customs Legislation Amendment (Commercial Greyhound Export and Import Prohibition) Bill 2021
      • Project known as the Iron Boomerang
      • Inspector-General of Live Animal Exports Amendment (Animal Welfare) Bill 2023
      • Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2023 [Provisions]
      • Adequacy of Australia’s biosecurity measures and response preparedness, in particular with respect to foot-and-mouth disease
      • The fisheries quota system
      • Fisheries quota system
      • Biosecurity Amendment (Advanced Compliance Measures) Bill 2023 [Provisions]
      • Agriculture Legislation Amendment (Streamlining Administration) Bill 2019
      • Export Market Development Grants Legislation Amendment Bill 2020 [provisions]
      • Civil Aviation (Unmanned Aircraft Levy) Bill 2020 and Civil Aviation Amendment (Unmanned Aircraft Levy Collection and Payment) Bill 2020 [Provisions]
      • Biosecurity Amendment (Traveller Declarations and Other Measures) Bill 2020 [Provisions]
      • Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Amendment (Dairy Cattle Export Charge) Bill 2020 [Provisions]
      • Water Legislation Amendment (Inspector-General of Water Compliance and Other Measures) Act 2021
      • Performance of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority
      • Importance of a viable, safe, sustainable and efficient road transport industry
      • Feasibility of a National Horse Traceability Register for all horses
      • The future of Australia’s aviation sector, in the context of COVID-19 and conditions post pandemic
      • Transport Security Amendment (Serious Crime) Bill 2020
      • Identification of leading practices in ensuring evidence-based regulation of farm practices that impact water quality outcomes in the Great Barrier Reef
      • Policy, regulatory, taxation, administrative and funding priorities for Australian shipping
      • Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority Board and Other Improvements) Bill 2019 [Provisions]
      • Federal Government’s response to the drought, and the adequacy and appropriateness of policies and measures to support farmers, regional communities and the Australian economy
      • Management of the Inland Rail project by the Australian Rail Track Corporation and the Commonwealth Government
      • Biosecurity Amendment (Enhanced Risk Management) Bill 2021 [provisions]
      • Definitions of meat and other animal products
      • Performance of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, and in particular its report on the June 2017 crash of a flight conducted on behalf of Angel Flight Australia
      • Performance of Australia's dairy industry and the profitability of Australian dairy farmers since deregulation in 2000
      • Farm Household Support Amendment (Relief Measures) Bill (No. 1) 2019 [Provisions]
      • Export Control Amendment (Banning Cotton Exports to Ensure Water Security) Bill 2019
      • Performance of Airservices Australia
      • Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2019 [provisions] and the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Amendment Bill 2019 [provisions]
      • The independence of regulatory decisions made by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA)
      • The provision of rescue, firefighting and emergency response at Australian airports
      • The provision of rescue, firefighting and emergency response at Australian airports
      • The integrity of the water market in the Murray-Darling Basin
      • Regulatory requirements that impact on the safe use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, Unmanned Aerial Systems and associated systems.
      • The operation, regulation and funding of air route service delivery to rural, regional and remote communities
      • Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Streamlining Regulation) Bill 2018
      • The need for regulation of mobility scooters, also known as motorised wheelchairs
      • Regulatory approaches to ensure the safety of pet food
      • Air Services Amendment Bill 2018
      • Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Amendment Bill 2018
      • Water Amendment Bill 2018
      • Road Vehicle Standards Bill 2018 and related bills [provisions]
      • Airports Amendment Bill 2016 [Provisions]
      • Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Amendment Bill 2017 [Provisions]
      • Regional Investment Corporation Bill 2017 (Provisions)
      • Seafood and seafood products
      • Aspects of road safety in Australia
      • State of Australia's rail industry
      • Effect of market consolidation on the red meat processing sector
      • Increasing use of so-called Flag of Convenience shipping in Australia
      • Airport and aviation security
      • Future role and contribution of regional capitals to Australia
      • Australian grape and wine industry
      • Australia's rail industry
      • Transport Security Amendment (Serious or Organised Crime) Bill 2016 [Provisions]
      • Food Standards Amendment (Fish Labelling) Bill 2015
      • Decision to commit funding to the Perth Freight Link project
      • Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Amendment Bill 2016
      • Effect of market consolidation on the red meat processing sector
      • Increasing use of so-called Flag of Convenience shipping in Australia
      • Shipping Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 [Provisions]
      • Voice for Animals (Independent Office of Animal Welfare) Bill 2015
      • Water Amendment (Review Implementation and Other Measures) Bill 2015 [Provisions]
      • Criminal Code Amendment (Animal Protection) Bill 2015
      • Performance of Airservices Australia
      • Australian grain networks
      • Australia's transport energy resilience and sustainability
      • Current and future arrangements for the marketing of Australian sugar
      • Future role and contribution of regional capitals to Australia
      • Industry structures and systems governing the imposition of and disbursement of marketing and research and development (R&D) levies in the agricultural sector
      • Biosecurity Bill 2014 and related Bills
      • Rural Research and Development Legislation Amendment Bill 2014
      • Infrastructure Australia Amendment (Cost Benefit Analysis and Other Measures) Bill 2014
      • Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Removing Re-approval and Re-registration) Bill 2014
      • Land Transport Infrastructure Amendment Bill 2014
      • Infrastructure Australia Amendment Bill 2013
      • The current requirements for labelling of seafood and seafood products
      • Role of public transport in delivering productivity outcomes
      • Industry structures and systems governing levies on grass-fed cattle
      • Implications of the restriction on the use of fenthion on Australia’s horticultural industry
      • Future of the beekeeping and pollination service industries in Australia
      • The proposed importation of potatoes from New Zealand
      • The effect on Australian ginger growers of importing fresh ginger from Fiji
      • The effect on Australian pineapple growers of importing fresh pineapple from Malaysia
      • Qantas' future as a strong national carrier supporting jobs in Australia
      • The ownership arrangements of grain handling
      • Beef Imports into Australia
      • Biosecurity Bill 2012 and the Inspector-General of Biosecurity Bill 2012
      • Voice for Animals (Independent Office of Animal Welfare) Bill 2013 [No. 2]
    • Scrutiny of Bills
    • Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation
    • Selection of Bills
    • Senators' Interests
    • Senate Committee Membership
    • Senate committee evidence, parliamentary privilege and Royal Commissions
    • Senate Committees: Upcoming Public Hearings
    • Today's public hearings
    • Recent Senate Committee reports
    • Former Senate Committees
    • Government responses outstanding to committee reports
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