Perspectives — Dick Smith

Is General Aviation and the vast industry that supports it going to languish for another three years or is it time for a new and reinvigorated team to implement the many changes that are so long overdue? Danielle Doney speaks with Dick Smith, President of the influential Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association to ascertain the Association’s position on the imminent federal election.

Dick Smith describes the Government’s waning inertia in aviation policy as “a loss of interest”. It seems the Labor Government’s enthusiasm for aviation reform, which has included the establishment of Air Services Australia (ASA) and the separation of the safety regulatory body now vested in the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), deregulation of the airline industry and the drawing up of plans to lease out the Federal Airports Corporation’s 22 airports, has run out of energy. According to Dick Smith, a breath of fresh air is needed to spark renewed growth in the industry.

“Unfortunately in the last two years I believe the Labor Government has lost its direction. They seem to have lost interest, especially in general aviation, and almost consider it a bit of a nuisance in the portfolio,” says Dick, “and that’s a great pity.” Dick will be looking to a new government to usher in the framework within which the industry can strengthen its position and regain the ground lost over the past two years. “I don’t believe there is actually much difference between the two parties, but I think a new party will take a risk and make some changes — something an old party just won’t do.”

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