SAFETY APPEAL TO THE CASA BOARD
Dear Mr Anthony Matthews, I am writing to you in my role as the CEO of the Australian Pilot Training Alliance.
As you will be aware, I have made multiple requests to meet with the Board, none have been responded to by the Board .
Mr Graeme Crawford in his role as the Manager of the Aviation Group intervened and wrote to me advising he would not permit the meeting with the Board.
As the complaints were against his Department, I feel that displayed inappropriate conduct on his behalf, and I have been denied procedural fairness, hence I am making one final appeal to the Board of CASA.
As you are aware, I advised the Board of my loss of trust and confidence in CASA, some time ago and I asked for direction. The Board chose not to respond to me. I did point out to the Board that my allegations were of a substantive nature and I drew the Boards attention to my expectation on them to ensure good governance. In my opinion that has not occurred, and hence this correspondence.
I am going public with this correspondence in order to compel you to respond.
For perfect clarity;
CASA has failed to achieve clear and concise aviation safety standards as is required of CASA in the Civil Aviation Act. The General Aviation sector (Charter and Flying Training), will concur wholeheartedly with that statement.
That failure to achieve that negatively impacts on safety and negatively impacts on business, and most particularly in regional areas.
Combine that with an environment where some personnel in CASA decide to act outside the requirements and obligations placed on them byo
The PGPA Act
CASAs own Regulatory Philosophy
The Ministers Statement of Expectations
CASAs enforcement manual
The requirements of Administrative Law
and you have a “perfect storm”. I am on the receiving end of that storm and it compromises flight safety to such an extent that I am compelled to act. Therefore, as I have requested on multiple occasions previously, may I meet with at least any two members of the Board, at any location within Australia within the next 7 days. As this is a matter of Aviation Safety it is essential that timelines are not unnecessarily protracted.
Failing the Boards ability to facilitate that request, I will make an appeal to the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Mc Cormack, although multiple requests to him have previously been completely ignored, I will try again, and give him 7 days to facilitate my request.
Failing the Deputy Prime Ministers’ ability to facilitate a meeting, I will be forced to significantly escalate this matter, and will draw on the wider industry for guidance.
My matters are not only related to me, and the compromise to safety affects the GA industry at both the Charter and Flying training levels. The issues are critical, and they must be addressed. My businesses experience provides a perfect example of how CASA actions can negatively impact safety and I am well prepared to fully prosecute my case. I look forward to receiving a prompt response,
Safe Skies for All, respectfully, Glen Buckley.