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Thursday, 12th February 2009

Government Moves To Strengthen Safety Oversight Of Airlines


The Bill seeks to reinforce the independence of the ATSB by establishing it as a separate statutory agency with a full-time Chief Commissioner and two part-time Commissioners.


Under the proposed changes the ATSB would have operational independence from the Infrastructure Department with respect to the exercise of its investigation powers and administration of its resources.


Clarifying the ATSB’s independence as the national safety investigation agency was a key recommendation of the 2007 Miller Review.


The legislation also gives the ATSB new powers to compel agencies and operators within the aviation industry to respond to its formal recommendations within 90 days, giving the public greater confidence that the lessons from past accidents will be acted upon in a timely manner.


There is widespread industry support for these amendments and I would like to thank the representatives who provided constructive input on these matters.


While these are significant reforms, there is more work to be done.


Further measures to strengthen the safety and reliability of air travel will be outlined in the Australia’s first ever Aviation White Paper which is expected to be finalised by the Government in the second half of 2009.


I encourage anyone with an interest in the future of the nation’s aviation industry to have their say by going to: www.infrastructure.gov.au/aviation/nap/.


Public submissions to the Aviation Green Paper close on 27 February.


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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

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