Media Releases
Wednesday, 16th December 2009
The Rudd Labor Government has today released its National Aviation Policy Statement, a road map to help secure the future of the industry while maintaining the highest safety and security standards and addressing community needs.
The National Aviation Policy is about giving industry the certainty and incentives to plan and invest for the long term, strengthening safety and security and addressing the needs of travellers, airport users and communities affected by aviation activity.
Globally, aviation is dealing with the impacts of the worst economic crisis in its almost 100-year history.
The Rudd Government’s Economic Stimulus Plan has helped make Australian airlines more resilient during the global recession by sustaining consumer demand.
It is clear that we need to take a strategic, planned approach in preparing for future economic, security and environmental challenges.
The National Aviation Policy, “Flight Path to the Future”, outlines more than 130 policy initiatives, as part of a comprehensive forward-looking framework to guide future growth.
Major issues addressed in the policy include the following:
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Safety and security remains the Government’s number one priority in aviation. The Government will implement a range of measures to:
ECONOMIC GROWTH
The Government will take a competition-based approach that increases choice and flexibility while securing our national interest. We will:
PASSENGER BENEFITS AND CONSUMER PROTECTIONS
The Government will introduce a number of practical and common sense measures to provide a better and safer travelling experience for passengers.
These changes will better align Australia with international standards. They include:
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The Government strongly supports continued investment in airport and aviation infrastructure. Development at our airports must be planned, and communities properly consulted. Our policy initiatives include:
The Government will also address the impacts of aircraft noise by:
CLIMATE CHANGE
Aviation must play its part in tackling the challenge of climate change. The Government will:
REGIONAL AND REMOTE AVIATION
The Government will encourage air services and access to regional and remote locations through a range of measures, including:
GENERAL AVIATION
The Government recognises the importance of general aviation in supporting a range of industries and training ground future pilots. We will:
INDUSTRY SKILLS AND PRODUCTIVITY
The Government will introduce a number of policy measures to ensure a well-trained and highly-skilled workforce in aviation. These include:
Australian aviation is a major economic driver, supporting more than half a million jobs and injecting nearly $6.3 billion into the economy.
In the last financial year, domestic airlines carried more than 50 million passengers and 23 million aircraft journeys were made to and from Australia.
The National Aviation Policy balances the need for economic growth and investment with security and safety priorities and the rights of communities and travellers.
The policy was developed following rigorous public consultation, including over 530 submissions from the industry, state and local governments and the community.
The full White Paper is available at www.infrastructure.gov.au.
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Phone: 02 9564 3588
Parliament House Office
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Electorate Office
334a Marrickville Rd
Marrickville NSW 2204
Phone: 02 9564 3588
Parliament House Office
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: 02 6277 7700
Phone: (02) 9564 3588
Fax: (02) 9564 1734
Email: A.Albanese.MP@aph.gov.au
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which our offices stand and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the sorrow of the Stolen Generations and the impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We also recognise the resilience, strength and pride of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Authorised by Anthony Albanese. 334a Marrickville Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204.