Safety fears over new Kiwi air deal
news.com.au
Safety fears over new Kiwi air deal
By Steve Creedy
June 21, 2004
NEW air rights legislation allowing New Zealand carriers to operate in Australia without being subjected to local safety checks has angered the Opposition and aviation unions.
Opposition transport spokesman Martin Ferguson called on the federal Government to delay mutual recognition amendments to the Civil Aviation Act until a full safety analysis had been performed.
He described the Government's handling of the legislation, which has been introduced into the House of Representatives, as "nothing short of shoddy".
The legislation, which would allow Kiwi aircraft to operate on Australian domestic routes with New Zealand certification, has been attacked by unions worried about safety and jobs moving across the Tasman.
Flight attendants have been particularly strident about potential safety problems posed by differences in the two countries on minimum number of cabin crew on planes. Australia requires a minimum one flight attendant for every 36 passengers, while New Zealand endorses an international standard of one for every 50.
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