Senator O'BRIEN (5:27 PM) —I thank the minister for her comments and for displaying the same expertise in this matter as I have. In these matters, we all rely on the advice we have in the positions that we take. In relation to the argument about the use of the factor calibrated airspeed, I am advised that the new Australian experimental category does not in fact call for calibrated airspeed. So it seems that there is a discrepancy between the regulation in this case and the Australian experimental category. I am also advised that the Canadian standard for ultralights, which I am told is TP 10141E, uses indicated airspeed not calibrated airspeed. So it is not as if there is a common international approach with which we are out of step but rather some differences.

I stress that there was a strong view that proper consultation had not taken place and that for that reason the opposition was of the view that it would be better that that take place before these changes are implemented, given what we were advised will be the significant implications of the measures on the community affected, that is, the ultralight community.

It has been argued to us—and I am not in a position where I have statistics to contest this—that for ultralight pilots it is true that the requirements as to training and qualification are less but that there is formalised training of ultralight pilots, which was introduced in the mid-1980s, and that the accident rate has steadily improved until it is on par with general aviation. One always likes to see improvement and perfection in aviation—I guess we are entitled to seek that—but we would expect that in many cases that is not going to be achieved, due to factors such as weather and human error.

It is argued by the Ultralight Federation that current ultralight accident statistics show that stalling as a causal factor is virtually a non-event. Therefore, if we do in fact disallow this regulation we are not blocking a measure which has, on the face of it, significant short-term consequences. If indeed, as the minister says, there is a process about to commence in relation to the review of all regulations, one would have thought that this matter could be rolled into that and dealt with at the same time—or indeed, if there is some other need to process it, this matter could be dealt with expeditiously before that matter commences. There have been on the record now a number of opinions from the affected aviation community, and the opinion of the department has been laid out before the parliament. One would have thought that in this case a disallowance might proceed without causing any undue problems.