McCormack picks transport department mandarin as CASA CEO

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has appointed one of his department’s most senior public servants to become the new CEO of CASA.

Pip Spence is currently the deputy secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development and will start her new role in the coming weeks for a period of up to five years.

It was also announced that Air Chief Marshal (Ret’d) Mark Binskin, a former Chief of Defence Force, would serve as the authority’s new chair.

Deputy PM McCormack said Spence offers substantial experience in aviation policy and regulation, as well as government administration and public policy. She has also worked for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet where she was heavily involved with the NBN roll-out and also served as an aviation adviser.

“These appointments are a critical part of shaping the make-up of the CASA board and the culture of the organisation more broadly,” the Deputy PM said.

“The depth and breadth of experience that Ms Spence and Air Chief Marshal Binskin bring to bear show the government is serious about ensuring CASA performs its critical role effectively.

“Their combined skills and experience will be essential for leading this critical regulator in keeping Australians safe while flying, as well as supporting an efficient, effective and reliable aviation industry – which is economically crucial for communities right across the nation.”

Binskin will start in August for a period of three years when the term of the current chair concludes.

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Australian Aviation reported last year how CASA’s last CEO Shane Carmody left the organisation at the end of 2020.

Carmody was appointed in an acting capacity in October 2016 after former CEO Mark Skidmore resigned after less than two years in the role. His position was rubber-stamped in June 2017 and followed an earlier stint as deputy CEO between 2006 and 2009.

CASA celebrated its 25th anniversary last year and Carmody said then that “while not everyone will be rushing to celebrate”, the occasion marked a good opportunity to reflect on the challenges the organisation has faced.

“I believe that over the last 25 years CASA and its people have got far more right than wrong. Australia’s aviation safety record is arguably one of the best in the world and we have a widely respected aviation safety system,” he said.

“According to the International Civil Aviation Organization, we are currently ranked sixth out of member states for an effective national safety system.”