Federal Cabinet has today approved the appointment of Mr David Forsyth as Chair of the Airservices Australia Board – the organisation that manages 11 per cent of the world’s airspace.

Mr Forsyth – a board member since January 2005 – will replace Mr Nick Burton Taylor AM.

Following numerous executive positions with Qantas, Mr Forsyth possesses a wealth of experience and will provide strong leadership to this important organisation during a period of rapid technological change and growth in the aviation industry.

Mr Forsyth will take up his position at a time when the Government is developing Australia’s first ever aviation White Paper, a critical policy document outlining how the Government will manage the nation’s growing aviation industry over coming decades.

A strong and innovative Airservices will no doubt be more important than ever.

I am also pleased to announce that Mr Henk Meertens and Ms Alice Williams have agreed to stay on and serve another term as Board members. Both were first appointed in January 2005.

Mr Meertens’ long history within the aviation industry and Ms Williams’ expertise in commerce and financial analysis will continue to be of great benefit to the Board’s deliberations.

To fill the vacancy created by the promotion of Mr Forsyth, Cabinet has approved the appointment of Dr Warren Mundy as a new board member. Dr Warren Mundy will bring to the position significant industry experience, particularly in the areas of airport planning and long term corporate and aviation strategy.

I congratulate Mr Forsyth, Mr Meertens, Ms Williams and Dr Mundy and thank them for their spirit of public service. I look forward to having a productive relationship with them and the other Board members.

I have also accepted the resignation of Mr Gerry McGowan, effective from 30 May 2008. I will announce McGowan replacement in the near future.

On behalf of the Australian Government, I would like to thank both Mr McGowan and Mr Burton-Taylor for their services to Airservices and the broader aviation industry.

All new appointments will take effect from 3 June 2008.

Each year, Airservices – an Australian Government-owned corporation – manages air traffic operations for more than three million domestic and international flights carrying some 47 million passengers. The aviation industry also relies on Airservices for aeronautical data, telecommunications and navigation services.

BIOS...

David Forsyth, BE (Aero), GradDip, FRAeS

Mr Forsyth was first appointed to the Board as a Member on 28 January 2005. He served as Chairman of the Board Safety & Environment Committee.

Mr Forsyth is an aeronautical engineer with over 30 years experience in airline operations and aviation engineering. He is a former Qantas Airways Executive General Manager responsible for flight operations, engineering and maintenance and previously General Manager, Qantas Regional Airlines covering four wholly-owned subsidiaries to 47 destinations Australia-wide.

Mr Forsyth is a Board Member of Aviation Australia, the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (South Eastern Section) and President of the Royal Aeronautical Society Australian Division.

Henk Meertens, AM, BArch

Mr Meertens was first appointed to the Board on 28 January 2005.

An architect, Mr Meertens has been actively involved in recreational and sport aviation for 25 years and has logged over 3000 hours flying time in gliders. Mr Meertens was President of the Australian Sport Aviation Confederation from 1996 to 2004 and he has represented the Australian sport and recreational aviation industry at international level and on a number of national forums and committees including Civil Aviation Safety Authority Regulatory Reviews.

Mr Meertens is a director of Rhibrae Pty Ltd, Wesky Pty Ltd and Cudgegong Soaring Pty Ltd.

Alice Williams, BComm, CFA, FAICD, FCPA

Ms Williams was first appointed to the Board on 28 January 2005. She served as Chair of the Board Audit Committee.

Ms Williams has over 20 years of senior management and Board level experience in corporate and Government sectors and investment banking, specialising in strategy and policy development, corporate advisory and funds management, competition policy and regulation. Ms Williams has also been a consultant to domestic and international airlines.

Ms Williams is a Director of Strategic Analytics (Australia) Pty Ltd, State Trustees Limited and State Trustees Financial Services Limited, VLine Passenger Corporation, Guild Insurance & Financial Services Holding Limited, Telstra Sale Company Limited, and is a Commissioner of the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission.

Warren Mundy, BSc (Hons), PhD

Dr Mundy has over 20 years experience in economics and finance in relation to regulation, transport, infrastructure, industry policy and regional development, both in Australia and internationally. Dr Mundy specialises in stakeholder management and strategic thinking, particularly to the aviation industry in Australia. His experience also extends to strategic advice to State Governments on transport and economic policy.

Dr Mundy is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics, Economics Society of Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.