Senator WOODLEY —My question is addressed to the minister representing the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Senator Ian Macdonald. Does the minister recall that when the Democrats raised concerns about the leakage of toxic fumes into the cabins of British Aerospace 146 aircraft he assured the Senate that modifications are now available for operators to improve the cabin environment? We were informed that at least one major airline has made modifications to every one of its BAe 146 aircraft. Is the minister aware of an incident six weeks ago where the pilot and crew of a BAe 146 aircraft, registration No. JJT, on a flight from Perth to Kununurra reported odours in the cabin and cockpit that made them ill? Is he aware that flight attendants on this flight required oxygen?

Senator IAN MACDONALD (Regional Services, Territories and Local Government) —I, like Senator Woodley, no doubt, saw the Insight program on the fumes of all aircraft, not just BAe 146s. That Insight program was very insightful and interesting. It is a worldwide problem that the airline industry around the world is concerned about and is looking at, as that program quite clearly showed.

You asked me whether I, the Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government, am aware of this particular incident. I cannot remember having read about it myself and it is not included in the notes that I am sometimes given for areas which are not directly under my control. For what it is worth, I am sure you would not be raising it with me if it was not an accurate statement of facts. I am not sure where your question or your statement leads, but certainly I will refer that to the aviation area of the department and see if there is some comment that I can give in response to that.

Opposition senators interjecting—

Senator IAN MACDONALD —Senator, I do actually appreciate your interest; it is in such contrast to the babble of inane comments and interjections that I am receiving from the Labor Party. I do appreciate your interest at least in a sensible matter and a sensible question.

Senator WOODLEY —I do thank the minister for his answer and I am aware of the limitations of a minister representing another minister. Madam President, I ask a supplementary question. This is just one incident where a pilot and crew were affected by toxic fumes leaking into this aircraft. The question I would like you to pursue further is: are those modifications working or are they not working? Also, is the minister aware of the risk to public safety when a pilot and copilot of an aircraft are incapacitated by exposure to toxic fumes?

Senator IAN MACDONALD (Regional Services, Territories and Local Government) —Senator Woodley well knows, because he follows this area, that Australia does have one of the world's best safety records as far as aviation is concerned. All of these incidents, as you are aware, are investigated by CASA or BASI, depending on what the particular incident is. If there were any danger at all, you would be aware, again from previous experience, that BASI or CASA or both would take instant action to address the problem.

Senator, I can assure you that both CASA and BASI, as appropriate, are investigating these matters. If there are problems, they will take immediate action. I have absolute confidence in them, as does the government, and I think all Australians do. Our record in aviation shows that that confidence is justified.