(1)   Has the review into the safety of the Ilyushin aircraft and its use by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) been completed; if so, what were the main findings of the review.

(2)   Can the review be made public; if not, why not.

(3)   Have any additional financial or non-financial resources been specifically allocated to ensure that the findings and recommendations of the review are implemented by the ADF.

(4)   What has the Government done to implement the findings or recommendations arising as a result of the review.

(5)   Have the findings and recommendations of this review been incorporated into the ADF planning and procedures manuals and handbooks and into any future contract documents.

(1)   An independent safety case review has been completed. The safety case risk assessment and recommendations have been developed into options for future airworthiness management. Until the new regulatory framework has been developed and implemented, outcomes of the review are reflected in Airworthiness Directive 05/2004, which states in part:         ‘Whenever any Australian Defence Organisation personnel are transported, 1 Joint Movement Group is limited to Western built aircraft whose operators are authorised for Regular Public Transport operations by the Federal Aviation Administration, Transport Canada, European Joint Aviation Authority (full member countries), New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority, Civil Aviation Safety Authority or are operated by Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States and New Zealand military forces.’

(2)   The results of the review are available to the public, in the form of Airworthiness Directive 05/2004, when requested from the Airworthiness Coordination and Policy Agency - Air Force. The independent report is commercial-in-confidence and cannot be released publicly.

(3)   Yes.

(4)   In September 2002, the Minister for Defence directed the Australian Defence Force Airworthiness Authority to implement acceptable processes to satisfy the Australian Defence Force’s duty-of-care and airworthiness management responsibilities. The Government (through the Minister for Defence) continues to be fully informed on the progress.

(5)   While the Airworthiness Directive implements findings of the safety case in the interim, development of the mature airworthiness management system for civil charter operations by the ADF is ongoing. The Airworthiness Directive and the mature system both apply to all current and future charter activity, including contractual arrangements.