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Speeches

Tuesday, 17th June 2008

Launch Of The Tlisc's Aviation Training Package


As prepared for delivery...


Acknowledgements:


Paul House - representing the Ngunnawal people


Air Commodore Ian Smith (representing the Chief of Defence Force - Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston)


Mr Robert Adams, Chairman, TNT Australia


I’m sure all you are all familiar with the Wright brothers, who are widely credited with flying the first motorised plane.


Around the time of taking his first flight, Wilbur Wright is quoted as saying:


There are two ways of learning to ride a fractious horse.


One is to get on him and learn by actual practice. The other is to sit on a fence and watch the beast a while, and then retire to the house to figure out the best way of overcoming his jumps and kicks.


The latter system is the safer. But the former, on the whole, turns out better riders. It is very much the same thing in learning to ride a flying machine.


As people involved in Australia’s aviation industry, you are far better placed than I am to pass judgement on Wright’s advice to budding pilots.


I will, however, offer one observation.


Getting on the horse is one thing, but understanding when it will kick, why it will kick, and how to get out of its way when it does is equally important.


This can only be achieved through extensive education and training, which requires a consistent and coherent framework that sets out national competencies and qualifications for the aviation industry.


This new aviation training package, which I’m proud to launch today, is an important resource for trainers, potential entrants to the industry, and people already involved in the sector.


This training package is a key resource for registered training organisations to deliver training, assess competencies and issue nationally recognised qualifications.


There are a number of aspects of this package worth special mention.


Firstly, it represents for the first time the two regulators of Australia’s aviation industry – CASA and Defence – have agreed on standards and requirements for aviation qualifications.


This means aviation workers can move more freely between civilian and defence workforces.


At the heart of this achievement has been some good cooperation between CASA and Defence.


Secondly, the package cuts through a myriad of state qualifications, and provides nationally consistent qualifications.


This makes it easier for people considering a career in aviation to compare training costs at different institutions.


Thirdly, and finally, the Aviation Training Package will make it easier for overseas students to train in Australia, which will only enhance our reputation as a world leader when it comes to aviation training.


One of the most important aspects of this training package from my perspective is that it brings together two of this Government’s main priorities:


an education revolution, and


the development of Australia’s first national aviation policy.


Education revolution


The Rudd Labor Government wants Australia to be the best educated country, the most skilled economy and the best trained workforce in the world.


That is why we have embarked on an education revolution, with a renewed focus on investing in our institutions, and getting better outcomes for students from pre-school, all the way through to university.


A centrepiece of this is a $1.9 billion investment over five years to fund up to 630,000 new training places.


I’m pleased to say this $1.9 billion program, which was announced in the 2008-09 Budget includes a stronger role for Industry Skills Councils.


It will help the Council provide stronger training support for Australia’s transport sectors, including the aviation industry.


Aviation White Paper


You may also be aware that in April this year, the Rudd Government took the historic step of developing a long-term plan for the future of Australia’s aviation industry.


This national Aviation Policy Statement, or White Paper, will guide the industry’s growth over the next decade and beyond.


Development of the White Paper began in April, with stakeholders being invited to make submissions on an Issues Paper which outlines challenges facing the Australian aviation Industry.


The next step in the process is the release of a Green Paper in September outlining possible policy directions, settings and reforms providing yet another opportunity for public input.


The process will be finalised in mid 2009 with the release of a White Paper which for the first time will bring together all aspects of national aviation policy into a single statement.


One of the key issues for the Aviation White Paper is addressing the skills needs in the aviation industry.


There have been numerous reports over the last 12 months about difficulties in recruiting pilots for regional airline services on some routes.


Regional airlines are also feeling the flow-on effects from a pilot shortage.


Skills shortages in the aviation sector not only affect services to regional centres.


It also impacts on emergency service operations, like the Royal Flying Doctor Service and search and rescue operators.


Whilst this is often considered to be ‘the small end of the industry’, as the Minister for Regional Development, I am fully aware of the impact it has on people living in regional and remote Australia.


This critical issue underscores the importance of the National Aviation Policy Statement.


The work already done by the Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council in this area, and also their unique position as an intermediary between Government and industry, means they will have a vital role in shaping future government policy and priorities to help meet the long term training needs of this industry.


I look forward to the Council’s input as we continue down this important path.


Conclusion


Australians will be forever indebted to the likes of Wilbur Wright, whose efforts have helped us overcome the tyranny of distance.


We’ve come along way since those early days of flight.


Our aviation industry has grown to a point where it supports nearly 50,000 jobs nationwide, and underpins our nation’s continued economic growth.


Australia now has a Government with the vision and commitment to overcome the tyranny of short term political opportunism.


The development of a national strategy for aviation is evidence of this.


We are developing a strategy which looks to the long term and closely links the development of aviation to the economic development of the nation.


The Government has already begun an education revolution because we know that skills are a core element in economic capacity and future prosperity.


We are committed to a strong, vibrant and well-skilled Australian aviation industry.


One with certainty and incentives to invest for the future.


The aviation training package is part of this commitment.


It is a key resource for people already in, or planning to enter Australia’s aviation industry.


I congratulate the Council on the work you have done to bring together industry, to ensure the Aviation Training Package meets industry needs.


It gives me great pleasure to officially launch the Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council’s Aviation and Training Package.


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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.

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