Australasian Railway Association (ARA)
Legal
Primary Application
Notice of application for temporary exemption
The 黑料情报站 has received an application for temporary exemptions from the Australasian Railway Association (ARA).
The ARA is a peak industry body representing railway operators in Australia. It seeks temporary exemptions on behalf of its members under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) (DDA), from a number of standards in the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Cth) (Transport Standards), and from a number of standards in the Disability (Access to Premises 鈥 Buildings) Standards 2010 (Cth) (Premises Standards).
The Commission has the power to grant temporary exemptions under section 55 of the DDA, section 33A.1 of the Transport Standards, and section 5.1 of the Premises Standards.
Background
The Commission granted the ARA a number of temporary exemptions under the DDA and the Transport Standards in 2007. At that time, the Commission also deferred its decision in relation to a number of exemptions applied for by the ARA, and declined to grant a number of exemptions.
The Commission has, on the application of the ARA, granted further exemptions on a number of occasions, which effectively extended the effect of the majority of the exemptions granted in 2007. The current exemptions will expire on 30 September 2015.
Copies of previous Commission decisions to grant temporary exemptions to the ARA can be found on the Commission website at .
The current application
The exemptions now sought by the ARA can be divided into three categories:
- Exemptions which have been previously granted by the Commission
- Exemptions which the ARA applied for in 2007, but with respect to which the Commission deferred its decision
- Exemptions from the Premises Standards (which were not in force in 2007 when the ARA originally sought temporary exemptions).
These exemptions are all sought for a period of five years.
With respect to each exemption sought, the ARA鈥檚 application includes submissions addressing whether the Commission has previously granted an exemption in the same or similar terms, whether any such exemption was granted subject to any terms and conditions, how the ARA has complied with any terms and conditions, and submissions in support of the ARA鈥檚 application.
The ARA has included in appendix 2 to its application extracts from relevant Australian Standards which are referred to in the Transport Standards and the Premises Standards.
Documents
ARA Application
- ARA application for temporary exemptions:
- Attachment 1: CRC for Rail Innovation, Improving Rail Station Access in Australia (2013):
- Attachment 2: CRC for Rail Innovation, Platform鈥搕rain interface for rail passengers 鈥 a technology review (2012):
- Attachment 3: CRC for Rail Innovation, Wayfinding in the Rail Environment: Technology and Behaviour Review (2013):
- Attachment 4: WEBB Queensland, Passenger Rail Network-Lighting of Station Environment to Comply with Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (2004):
The Commission notes that the first three attachments to the ARA鈥檚 application have been provided only in .pdf format. The ARA has informed the Commission that it is unable to provide copies of these documents in alternative formats.
Please note that the ARA鈥檚 application, and its appendices and attachments, contain copyright material, which is reproduced under licence. These materials may only be reproduced for the purpose of considering and responding to the ARA鈥檚 application.
Relevant previous Commission decisions
Commission decision dated 22 January 2007 鈥 available .
Commission decision dated 5 November 2007 鈥 鈥淒irect Assistance in Ascending and Descending Boarding Ramps鈥 鈥 available .
Relevant Legislation
The DDA can be accessed .
The Transport Standards can be accessed .
The Premises Standards can be accessed .
Commission Guidelines
The Commission鈥檚 Guidelines for Temporary Exemptions under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 can be found .
Request for Submissions
The 黑料情报站 invited interested parties to make submissions.
The closing date for written submissions was Friday 17 July 2015.
Submissions Received
Andrew Stewart:
Accessible Public Transport Jurisdictional Committee:
All Aboard:
All Aboard Supplementary Submission:
All Aboard Further Supplementary Submission:
Association of Consultants in Access Australia:
People with Disability Australia:
Deafness Council NSW:
Deaf Australia:
Minister for Transport, Queensland:
Victorian Council of Social Service:
Peter Kerley:
Supplementary Submission
On 14 August 2015, the ARA provided the following supplementary submission, with one attachment, addressing a number of matters raised in the submissions received during the public consultation, and a number of questions asked by the Commission:
(43.41 KB)
(9.34 MB)
Expert Report
The Commission has retained a consultant to provide technical expertise and advice with respect to the ARA鈥檚 application, and the evidence and submissions received from the public. The Commission鈥檚 expert has now provided a report.
The Commission is providing an opportunity for interested parties to provide further submissions in response to the following matters arising from the expert report:
- proposals that in the event particular exemptions are granted, they be granted subject to conditions that in some respects differ from conditions that are attached to the exemptions that are currently operative with respect to members of the ARA
- proposals that in the event several of the exemptions sought by the ARA are granted, they be granted in terms differing from those sought by the ARA
- any matters, or evidential material, contained in the expert report that has not previously been addressed in public submissions (including, where relevant, opinions based on the expertise of the Commission鈥檚 retained expert)
The Commission requests that any additional submissions addressing these topics be provided by 5 pm, 17 September 2015. Where possible, the Commission requests that submissions be provided by email to legal@humanrights.gov.au. Further information about how to make submissions is contained in the 鈥淩equest for Submissions鈥 section of this page (above).
The Commission's expert report can be accessed here:
(252.17 KB)
Further Submissions
The Commission received the following further submissions, primarily addressing matters raised in the expert report.
The Commission鈥檚 call for submissions has now closed.
- Association of Consultants in Access Australia:
- Andrew Stewart:
- Peter Kerley:
- Australasian Railway Association:
- All Aboard:
Decision to grant exemptions
On 1 October 2015, the Commission made its decision with respect to the application. The Commission decided to grant some of the exemptions sought, and declined to grant others. The Commission鈥檚 decision can be accessed here:
(310.5 KB)
(534.03 KB)