Queenslander, my views are simple, see
here.
The problem is that we have had years of a Department of Transport – now called the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government – when there has been absolutely no policy initiated. Because of this, aviation, particularly general aviation, will be destroyed.
For example, I bet no one in the Department pointed out to the various Ministers that selling off Hoxton Park Airport so it could be used for freehold land would work very much against flying training in Australia.
The problem with the Department is that once a person comes up to speed on aviation matters – and there have been some very good people there – they immediately disappear. For example, we had a capable chap called Martin Dolan, who was in charge of aviation for about three years. He suddenly disappeared. Then we had Mike Mrdak, who had previously worked in Laurie Brereton’s office in aviation and came up to speed quickly. As soon as he was in a position to start setting some policy, he moved – I think to the Prime Minister’s Department.
Basically there is no one in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government who has any good in-depth knowledge of aviation. The Minister’s aviation adviser has no background in practical aviation and does not ask advice.
We are heading for a major tragedy in aviation. This is due to a lack of pilots, a lack of air traffic controllers, and a lack of any understanding that unnecessary costs must be reduced – otherwise safety will be affected.
This started when John Anderson de-skilled the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Board so much that he then decided the Board was useless (which it was) and abolished it. He then placed a farmer, with no practical air traffic control or aviation experience, on the Airservices Board as Chairman.
We have had about a decade of no forward thinking policy being instigated.
There will no doubt be more disasters in future.