The Albanese government is looking at compelling states and territories to disclose confidential road accident data. 

A new initiative, backed by crossbench Senator David Pocock in exchange for his support on Labor's workplace changes, aims to ensure the $50 billion in Commonwealth road funding is distributed based on actual need, enhancing road safety and transparency.

Transport Minister Catherine King is set to negotiate the release of detailed crash statistics as a prerequisite for receiving federal road funds, mirroring the accountability seen in health and education sectors through mechanisms like My School disclosures. 

This comes in response to alarming increases in road fatalities, with the worst tolls reported since 2010, including significant spikes in NSW and South Australia.

The push for transparency has garnered support from the Transport Workers Union and a number of Labor MPs.

TWU national secretary Michael Kaine says comprehensive data analysis is central to tackling the root causes of accidents, beyond immediate factors like fatigue and faulty repairs.

Despite the potential resistance from some jurisdictions reluctant to share their data, the federal government's leverage through funding agreements may prompt a shift towards greater openness. 

This approach aligns with Labor's pre-election commitment to improve road safety data quality in partnership with states and territories.