Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss has announced an independent review of aviation safety regulation in Australia.
“This announcement delivers on one of the key commitments outlined in the Coalition’s 2013 Policy for Aviation,” Mr Truss said.
“Australia has an enviable record in aviation safety — among the best in the world — which has been built on a strong regulatory system, forged over many years.”
Mr Truss said aviation activity is expected to double in the next twenty years: “The industry is a vital part of our economy and we must ensure it is supported by a regulatory system that delivers the highest levels of safety.
“Now is the right time to reassess how our safety regulatory system is placed in dealing with this dynamic and evolving sector. The independent review reinforces the government’s commitment to maintaining safety as the highest priority in aviation.
“The review will be strategic in nature. It is about whether we are on the right track to meet future challenges and respond to growing demand in aviation.”
The review is to be undertaken by a panel of aviation safety experts and will benchmark Australia’s safety regulation against other leading countries.
David Forsyth AM will chair the review panel. Mr Forsyth is the chair of Safeskies Australia, former chair of Airservices Australia and has over 30 years’ experience in safety management and aviation business.
Mr Forsyth will be joined by Don Spruston, former Director General of Civil Aviation at Transport Canada and former Director General of the International Business Aviation Council, and by Roger Whitefield, former Head of Safety at British Airways, former safety adviser to Qantas and former United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority board member.
The panel will also be supported, as required, by specialist advisers. Mr Truss has appointed Phillip Reiss to take particular responsibility to ensure that the concerns of general aviation and regional operators are well aired.
Mr Truss indicated his confidence that the breadth and depth of expertise secured to conduct this review will ensure that a comprehensive and balanced perspective is reflected in the panel’s findings.
Over the coming months, the review panel will undertake extensive industry and public consultation. Further details, including how to make a submission, will be available from the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development’s website.
The review panel will provide its report to the Deputy Prime Minister in May 2014.
