Our Boomerang moment . . .

The irony in this country is that aviation is in danger of being taken for granted at a time when developing countries to our north are taking their first serious steps in commercial aviation.

Where once Australia was home to a vibrant aviation manufacturing sector, only a few hardy companies remain. This also reflects the general decline in Australian manufacturing — in the mid-sixties it was about 25 per cent of GDP. Now, it’s half that number.

Resource booms do not last forever and Australia must rebuild its manufacturing base if it is to adapt to the long-term needs of our major trading partners. While our agricultural sector is showing signs of some recovery, manufacturing is in a rapid nosedive.

And here’s where high-end, technical manufacturing, of which aviation is part, comes in —for it can insure a country against an over-reliance on a single sector, such as mining.

So what to do? Firstly, Australia must identify what niche aviation products and services are being demanded by its largest trading partners.

Secondly, it must analyse its competitors and identify the best commercial opportunities.

Thirdly it must have a technically skilled workforce able to manufacture or supply the products the emerging markets require.

Sitting on our hands and relying on the mining industry forever is not an option. Already, almost every other sector of the economy seems to be contracting.

It is also acknowledged that the resources boom has supplied some very good opportunities for regional operators, including FIFO, ad hoc charter, and to a certain extent, RPT and training.

Long may this continue but a too narrowly focussed economy is in nobody’s interest. Other parts of the economic pie also need to grow.

On these issues, the reflex often is to ask the Australian Government for help. Given the current political climate and a minority government in power, such an approach may not be efficient.

Perhaps what’s needed is the resurrection of Australia’s entrepreneurial, can-do skills. We once produced a half-decent military aircraft, the Boomerang, in about four months, design through to manufacture, because the need was imperative.

In an economic sense, it may be that we are reaching our Boomerang moment. Our markets are changing and emerging economies are looking for their time in the sun. In short, they are hungry for success.

The mining boom could be masking our need to strive as hard as our competitors in reaching for more markets and in offering a more diverse range of products. This is not short-term stuff but there is no time like now to begin.

Australian aviation always has lived far from its major markets but this is changing with the rise of China and India.

Traditional markets are still there but Asia’s growing middle classes will demand more from aviation. And who knows what South America and Africa may also bring this century?

We can rail against the high Australian dollar or we can produce aviation products and services of a quality that will overcome this export disadvantage. The question is: do we have the will and the expertise?

Australian aviation has surprised the world before. If we can be inspired by our past and understand what is needed in 21st century aviation, we still have the chance to play a strong and prominent role.