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The Australian government has released the terms of reference for its Aviation White Paper, outlining government outcomes that will define the future of aviation in the country.
The paper intends to set outcomes and policies that will define the period of technological and industry advancement up to 2050, promoting growth and innovation in the aviation sector.
The paper was announced last year when the federal government assigned $7 million of the budget towards the paper.
The Albanese government had long promised the funding for the white paper prior to coming to power. Now, nine months since the paper was funded, the terms of reference have been released by Catherine King, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development.
“A safe, efficient, sustainable and competitive aviation sector is critical to the economy and the standard of living of all Australians,” said King today in a media release.
“Aviation connects Australians with the world and communities to each other. It brings essential imports to our country and connects high-value exports with markets overseas. It allows us to visit family and friends interstate and it provides a vital link to regions and remote Australia.
“After the uncertainty of the pandemic, and a lack of planning for the future under the previous government, the Aviation White Paper will provide a new chance to chart the opportunities for the future.”
The paper outlines four main safety outcomes regarding safety, competitiveness, sustainability and efficiency, and will see the government address a number of concerns such as the contribution the aviation industry makes in reaching the nations goal of net zero carbon emissions, the regeneration of the aviation sector post COVID-19, and the introduction of new technologies, such as ones that affect safety.
The full list of themes and outcomes can be found here.
Prior to the Albanese government entering office, King had criticised the former governments lack of planning for the aviation industry.
“Over the course of the pandemic, the Morrison-Joyce Government’s support has delivered little of lasting benefit,” she said in a release from March, 2022.
“Only an Albanese Labor Government will end the Coalition’s decade of wasted opportunity, charting a better path for Australia’s essential aviation industry.”
Alongside the terms of eeference, submissions for the White Paper are now open, allowing individuals and businesses to raise concerns on any aspect of the industry.
The submissions will be considered alongside established research in a future Green Paper to be released later this year. A final White Paper considering the Green Paper’s findings will then be released in the first half of 2024.
Submissions for the current White Paper close on March 10, 2023.
