How will this effect stakeholders

[Andrew C]

This will be the talking point for a while, also the lightning rod for all issues.

Biggest review in aviation history

Steve Creedy, Aviation writer | April 10, 2008

THE federal Government will today launch the biggest review of Australian aviation in its 100-year history as it moves to establish a long-awaited national aviation policy.

An issues paper to be released today in Melbourne identifies a broad range of challenges facing the sector - including international liberalisation, security, pilot shortages, airport development, regulatory reform, climate change and aircraft noise - and sets the stage for the first aviation white paper to be delivered next year.

Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has called for submissions on the issues to be completed by September, and will use the white paper for formulating long-term aviation policy.

The wide-ranging review will be welcomed by an industry that has long complained about the lack of an overarching national policy.

The sector supports almost 50,000 jobs and contributes an estimated $6.8billion to gross national product.

Although there have been significant policy changes in aviation - such as the decision to deregulate the domestic market in 1990 and subsequent moves to privatise Qantas and the nation's major airports - there has never been a comprehensive national aviation policy statement.

Mr Albanese will tell industry leaders attending a forum organised by tourism and transport lobby group TTF Australia the review recognises the aviation industry's role in underpinning domestic economic growth and providing gateways to the global economy. He will emphasise the need for a long-term national strategy that closely links aviation development to the nation's economic development.

"Long-term strategic planning for sustainable growth of our aviation industry must be part of securing our future prosperity," Mr Albanese says in the issues paper, obtained by The Australian.

"The previous short-term, ad-hoc, problem-by-problem approach is no longer tenable if Australia is to remain internationally competitive."

The move comes as passenger numbers at airports grow at an average annual rate of 5.8 per cent, outstripping average economic growth of 3.1 per cent.

The growth has not been without its challenges for airports, airlines, regulators and the air navigation provider, which have produced heated debate about airspace regulation, airport development, aircraft noise and the industry's contribution to global warming.

Smaller airlines continue to struggle and the general aviation sector has argued for years that it has languished because of a lack of a national policy.

The issues paper is broken into the themes of industry, infrastructure, safety, security and community protection. Questions include whether the deregulated domestic market remains the best model for delivering interstate air services, policies towards regional and remote communities and whether security is appropriate to the bush.

Other areas look at whether the Government should protect infrastructure at secondary airports and promote dialogue between airports and nearby communities and whether there should be an integrated approach to planning developments around airports.

The review will examine ways of improving governance of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and Airservices Australia, addressing the pilot shortage and what steps the industry is taking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and aircraft noise. Mr Albanese said the white paper would aim to give the industry certainty and incentives for long-term investment and planning.

It would outline clear commitments to travellers, airport users and communities affected by aviation.

TTF managing director Christopher Brown said last night the review would be welcomed by industry.

He said some bold one-off aviation policies, such as privatising Qantas and the airports, had emerged in recent decades.

"But no one's really sat down to deconstruct the whole thing and work where we want to be in the next ... 20years of aviation," he said.

"It's now for the industry to respond. We've got what we asked for and ... it's up to all of us to step up to the mark."

[Mick F]

Provided that the 'white paper' isn't going to be 99.5% for the airlines, meaning the rest of aviation misses out, then it will be a good thing.

For far too long, GA has been missing out, more and more each year. About time that they finally recognised that GA is a vital part of the Australian economy and they need to give it the support it requires.

Floody