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High standards maintained says CAA
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HIGH STANDARDS MAINTAINED SAYS CAA
Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority Board, Mr Ted Butcher, said today he was extremely concerned at the suggestion made by the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers' Association that aviation safety standards were being reduced.
Mr Butcher said changes in the organisation of the Safety Regulation and Standards Division would ensure a pro-active approach to aviation safety; closer interface with industry; education and training and total quality management.
The CAA Board decision to have the Division audited by an independent safety consultant on an annual basis over the next three years was indicative of this intention.
"At the same time," Mr Butcher said, "The Authority is ensuring the very high standards which have been established in aviation in Australia are not only maintained but enhanced.
"The Safety Regulation and Standards Division is moving away from centralised administration and is strategically positioning its officers at the airports, which after all is the business end of the industry.
Officers located at airports are better situated to see inappropriate or dangerous operating standards and take swift action against offenders."
Mr Butcher was responding to an announcement by the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers' Association that it intended to hold stop-work meetings because of what it described as proposed changes to air safety standards.
He said air safety standards had not been changed. Mr Butcher emphasised that a series of consultations had taken place with ALAEA as well as the Public Sector Union, the Australian Federation of Air Pilots and the Association of Professional Engineers and Scientists of Australia who had agreed in principle with the proposals.
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Previous discussions had also been held with professional bodies being the Royal Aeronautical Society, The National Institute of Airworthiness Surveyors and the Australian Air Transport Association, the Regional Airlines Association of Australia, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots' Association, and the Professional Radio and Electrical Institute of Australia.
"The ALAEA's concerns have been with the structure and management of the Safety Regulation and Standards Division and their submissions on this have been considered by the Board.
"The structure, announced last Friday, is considered by the Board to be the most appropriate to enable the Division to carry out the safety function required under the Civil Aviation Act."
In terms of moving from the present organisation to a future organisation meeting the Australian Standards Association criteria in which Australia would be a leader in development, Mr Butcher offered the ALAEA and other staff associations and professional bodies full consultation in the necessary process to achieve this.
The Civil Aviation Authority is a Government Business Enterprise, established under the Civil Aviation Act, 1988, to set and maintain safety standards for civil aviation in Australia and protect the environment from the effects of
aircraft. It provides air traffic control and flight advisory services, aviation search and rescue and rescue and firefighting services at major airports.
The Authority also provides safety regulation and surveillance of the industry and regulatory services such as licensing of industry personnel.
Media contacts:
For further information: Derek Roylance (06) 2684262 (W)
CAA 24-hour media contact line: (06) 257 2828
Canberra, 7 December 1992
