The Aviation industry is enduring a death by a thousand cuts, and is constantly left out of policy decisions and funding.
Successive governments (of both flavours) have ignored, prostituted, used and abused the Aviation sector - especially General Aviation - while funding roads and railways from consolidated revenue.
In the interests of prompting debate:
- Which Party do you think might HELP our industry to grow in 2011?
I attach the Aviation policy for the major parties below.
Nationals:
Maintaining regional access to aviation services
For the seven million Australians who live outside our capital cities, regional aviation is an especially important link to the rest of the nation, providing transport, goods and medical services to and from large centres. It is essential that regional aviation is supported, since many regional routes are
of limited commercial value, with smaller carriers struggling with rising overheads and economic difficulties.
The Nationals will retain the Remote Air Service Subsidy Scheme (RASS) so that isolated communities continue to receive a weekly passenger and freight service. The RASS subsidises flights to more than 235 communities which
would otherwise not have a regular transport service.
The En Route Charges Scheme fully refunds Air Services Australia’s air navigation charges for a number of regional airlines operating smaller aircraft and for aero-medical operators such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The EnRoute Charges Scheme helps regional airlines to maintain viable services to isolated areas.
From 1 July 2008, Labor limited the scheme to existing routes and service frequencies and from 30 June 2012 the scheme will be abolished for commercial regional airline operators. The Nationals will reopen the En Route Charges Scheme to commercial air carriers using the scheme’s pre 1
July 2008 criteria and will keep it beyond 2012.
The Nationals will continue and expand the Remote Aerodrome Safety Program to assist in the upgrade of airstrips in remote and isolated communities.
The Nationals will also support general aviation – that part of the aviation sector not involved in regular public transport (or scheduled) services. It involves small aircraft undertaking roles vital to regional Australia, such as charter and business flights, aero-medical services, commercial and private
pilot training, sports and recreational pursuits, and various kinds of aerial work such as agriculture and surveying. In 2005-06, the non-scheduled air and space transport sector comprised more than 1000 businesses, employing nearly 4000 people producing an industry turnover of nearly $1
billion. Australia’s general aviation fleet is ageing, with the average age of aircraft now 30 years.
The Nationals will introduce incentives to enable business to replace aircraft used for commercial activities and to keep regional Australia flying.
The Nationals will address the skill shortage in the aviation industry. We will build on existing regional pilot training schemes such as that operated by Regional Express including the establishment of a Regional Airline Pilots’
Scholarship Scheme.
Australian Labor Party
No published Aviation policy.
I think it might be in here:
Our Platform
...but I can't read through all the weasil-words and wank speak
Liberal Party of Australia
No published Aviation policy.
The Australian Greens
Here:
Policy G5: Sustainable Planning and Transport
Australian Democrats
Who?
so...THERE IS ONLY ONE MAJOR PARTY IN AUSTRALIA WITH A CLEAR STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES FACING OUR INDUSTRY AND THEIR POLICY TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. 