Showing the way

International harmonisation

Global aviation is founded on an agreed common approach to aviation regulation between countries through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), to which Australia is a signatory.

However, the complexity of Australia’s current aviation regulations have played a significant role in the inability of local industry to compete on an international scale. The current rules are unwieldy and based on a set of prescriptive principles that are out of step with international standards. For example, a quick comparison with the EASA and CASA Approved Design Organisations holding essentially the same approval show additional hurdles that CASA has in place that add nothing to safety.

The harmonisation of aviation licensing and regulation with overseas jurisdictions will maximise export, training and trade opportunities. It could also allow the creation of a single aviation market with New Zealand, a long-standing government policy that has never been effectively implemented.

Appoint a Minister Assisting for Aviation

The Forum calls for the establishment of the role of Minister Assisting for Aviation to oversee and coordinate a new aviation strategy for Australia.

Aviation policy and its delivery are fragmented and are spread across a number of departments and agencies in both federal and state governments. The challenges ahead require a new aviation strategy and stronger political leadership and coordination.

Modernisation of the Civil Aviation Act

A fundamental modernisation of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 is required to bring Australia’s safety framework into line with best international practice and to focus the role of the regulator on safety outcomes which are based on risk assessments and the fostering of the industry.

A new Civil Aviation Act should be introduced into Parliament within the next two years.

Aligning government structures to the new aviation environment

Major changes to government aviation policy and delivery structures are recommended in this detailed policy document.

Recommendations include:

• The development and implementation of a risk-based regulatory framework;
• the development and implementation of performance-based regulations; and
• a new, more efficient and equitable CASA long-term funding model.

General aviation

General aviation is a very diverse, economically and socially vital part of Australia’s aviation industry. It covers a range of aviation operations and sectors that underpin the health of communities, especially those in regional Australia, and provides a critical feeder training role for large airlines.

Government should adopt the Forum-proposed ‘New Philosophy of Regulation of General Aviation’ and direct CASA to implement a classification of operations that simplifies the regulation of this sector.

For example, by matching regulatory approaches to the differing exposures and capacities of sectors through sector risk profiling and recognition of industry programs and independent audits, CASA can simplify its approach and reduce regulation, expenditure and cost on industry in these areas without compromising safety. The use of self-administering bodies to oversee sport and recreational aviation operations is a true success story that provides another model for simple and effective regulation.

Airspace

The Forum believes that government agencies need to consult more effectively with industry on major developing aviation technologies and use of airspace. This should include a more integrated approach to managing industry input and intelligence gathering through the existing but under-utilised Regional Airspace and Procedures Advisory Committees network.

As the operational concepts develop, industry must play an integral role in assisting.

Government should also ensure the OneSky system is equitable, improves safety and is cost-effective.

Another key challenge is the integration of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into existing airspace while protecting the safety of existing users. CASA should focus on this issue as the primary concern of UAS policy, including placing significant due diligence responsibilities on UAS users.

Aviation services to regional

Australians The role of aviation in building and maintaining healthy rural, regional and remote communities is critical. Over the last 25 years, more than half the regional regular public transport routes and more than half the operators have been lost due to cost pressures, changing demographics and government policy indifference.

Government should establish a coordinated and government-funded scheme to facilitate aviation services to all communities across Australia where transparent criteria are met. The Forum believes that a significant improvement could be made to aviation access and support for smaller regional communities across Australia for an investment of less than $20 million per annum.

Next issue

In the next issue we will discuss the policy’s call for the sale of Airservices, the establishment of an Aviation Future Fund, and the futures of aviation training and education and aviation rescue and firefighting services.