The Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) congratulates Prime Minister the Honourable Anthony Albanese on the results of the 2025 Federal Election and warmly welcomes the opportunity to work with his new government to address the growing national crisis of road trauma.
Every day, an average of three Australians are killed and more than 100 are seriously injured on our roads. Alarmingly, road trauma rates have risen for four consecutive years, and early data for 2025 shows no improvement. This is an unacceptable and preventable tragedy that requires urgent national leadership.
ACRS, the region’s peak membership organisation dedicated to eliminating death and serious injury on our roads, is today urging Prime Minister Albanese to appoint a dedicated federal Minister for Road Safety as part of his new Ministry.
A 2022 recommendation from the Joint Select Committee Inquiry into Road Safety (Driving Reform report)1 clearly called for a cabinet minister to be appointed with responsibility to report annually to Parliament on Australia’s progress towards the National Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030. This strategy aims to halve road deaths by 2030. However, with current trends, this target is in serious jeopardy.
“It is time to implement this recommendation from the Parliament for Australia to elevate road safety to a national cabinet-level priority,” said Dr Ingrid Johnston, CEO, ACRS. “Without dedicated ministerial responsibility, we risk continued failure to meet our national safety targets. A senior Minister for Road Safety would provide the focus, leadership, and accountability needed to drive meaningful change.”
ACRS stands ready to work with government, industry, and the community to support a Minister for Road Safety in delivering life-saving reforms. We urge the Prime Minister and his government to act decisively and implement this crucial recommendation.
Source:
- Driving Reform: final report for the Inquiry into Road Safety: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Former_Committees/Road_Safety_2021/RoadSafety2021Joint/Report