This is a general question to AMSA. How many aircraft operators do you use for surveillance of the coastline? Is it one or two operators, or three or four?
Mr Kinley: We do not do surveillance of the coastline. We use aircraft to undertake search and rescue.
Senator XENOPHON: Not surveillance. So how many operators are there in terms of search and rescue around the country?
Mr Young: One dedicated operator provides five fixed wing aircraft around the country, dedicated search and rescue aircraft. I do not have the immediate figure but it is in the order of 55 other operators that we will use from time to time. They range from state and territory provided emergency medical services helicopters, for example Safcare is on our list as an aircraft we would use and we have a number of other fixed wing operators around the country that we can use from time to time as need be. All up, I think there are around 60 and I can get you an accurate number on those.
Senator XENOPHON: So a significant number of operators. In general terms, what protocols and safeguards are there to ensure that those operators have appropriate standards of pilots training and of safety so that you know that the rescuers in a sense will not need to be rescued? Are there particular requirements that are set for those operators in terms of minimum standards?
Mr Young: Yes, there are. Firstly, we contract commercial operators. They obviously need to have an air operating certificate approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. We provide specialist search and rescue pilot training. That is about flying at lower altitudes, bad weather and special requirements for search and rescue operations. We run an audit program through which we go out with aircraft and watch their specialist operations.
Senator XENOPHON: I might place some of my questions on notice. Essentially, if they have the air operator certificate, that gives you comfort, because in order to get that you need to satisfy CASA. So you quite justifiably rely on that. In addition to those minimum requirements for an AOC you undertake your own audits.
Mr Young: We undertake our own audits of the search and rescue operation not flight operation.
Senator XENOPHON: Perhaps on notice you can give me some information on the extent of those audits.
Mr Young: Certainly.
Senator XENOPHON: And whether there been any issues with respect to any of those audits.
Mr Young: Yes.
Senator XENOPHON: Can you say whether there have been any concerns or outcomes as a result of those audits with respect to any of your operators? Are you able to answer that now, or do you want to take that on notice?
Mr Young: I would prefer to take that on notice, thanks.
Senator XENOPHON: That is fine. I would be grateful if you could