Hey readers. ALAEA has adopted our policy with a minor change from the draft. We absolutely want a second airport in Sydney but have removed specific reference to Badgeries Creek. Need to keep the options open.
We have a few candidates to who will be running in key seats. Some announcements to come in a few weeks time.
ALAEA Federal Election 2013 Draft Policy Paper
Stand Up for Aviation
Over the years we’ve seen our industry change; mostly for the better but sometimes not. The successes have come from teamwork, dedication and ensuring our traditionally-higher Australian standards are maintained. The problems have usually come when airlines and governments decide that only they know what’s right and ignore the advice of the people who know aviation better than anyone else – the people who work in the hangars, on the ramp and on board the aircraft.
With the Federal election less than five months away I think it’s time that Licenced Engineers gave the politicians a choice – if you want our support at the ballot box you need to do the right thing by the aviation industry.
- The ALAEA has identified four key areas that we want you to consider as we all Stand Up for Aviation:
- Maintaining a Strong Australian Aviation Industry;
- Support for Aviation Employers who Prioritise the Employment of Australian Workers;
- Keeping Qantas Australian; and Making CASA Effective.
Further on, the issues are expanded in detail but firstly there are two politicians who have already been extremely supportive.
Bob Katter and Nick Xenophon
There are two federal politicians who’ve given the aviation industry and its workers support over the last three years - Nick Xenophon and Bob Katter. Both men have championed our cause by proposing legislation (with Greens support), initiating Senate enquiries, questioning alliances and speaking publically about our industry. Putting aside their other policies on poker machines, milk pricing or the supermarket monopoly, these gentlemen continue to give us their full support and we’re grateful for it.
Both Nick and Bob have Stood Up for Aviation.
Our Issues
What we’d like members to do is think about the issues and give the Association some feedback and suggestions. Our Federal Executive meets at the end of this month by which time we will have offered all political parties a chance to demonstrate to us how they can support Aviation employees after the Election. As a small union we have often been overlooked by the major parties and we have learnt over the years that the smiles and handshakes in their offices mean nothing. We are seeking commitments to our causes, the matters that will ensure ongoing employment for our members.
Rather than be dismissed as an insignificant group, we will be advising all political parties that the ALAEA may be prepared to field candidates from our membership (no Federal Executive members) in key airport seats and will direct preferences at our discretion. We are also calling for members to express an interest in running in the upcoming Federal election so we can have a real say in Australian Aviation. We need to let the major parties know that we have had enough and if they want our support they need to Stand up for Aviation. You can express an interest in standing in the upcoming election by completing the expression of interest on the last page of this notice.
1. Maintaining a Strong Australian Aviation Industry
Aviation is a nationally strategic industry with vital importance for a country the size of Australia. It is crucial that our industry grows and continues to facilitate our broader economy by underpinning, as it does, a wide range of business, trade and tourism activities.
In the past several years the industry and the people employed in it have been let down by many operators out to make a quick buck or a quick bonus and who are willing to let standards slip with scant regard to the people who’ve given their heart and souls to ensure our traditionally-higher Australian aviation standards are maintained. On far too many occasions these operators have included large airlines with governments of all political persuasions being complicit in their actions.
We’ve also seen a downright gutless attitude from both Federal and state governments when it comes to planning for the expansion of aviation in this country. A growing industry – as aviation should continue to be – needs governments that demonstrate foresight and commitment. Take Sydney’s airport needs, for example. Travel to Sydney can be a nightmare at the best of times and it is not uncommon to have to circle at 30,000 ft for half an hour waiting for a landing slot. This issue has been festering for over twenty years and it needs to be resolved. A second airport in Sydney will not only grow aviation employment opportunities but also the ability for people to holiday and do business in Sydney. Every day that politicians procrastinate over the decision takes away the opportunity to fix this long term problem.
Airport restrictions are not just limited to Sydney. A review of all airports should be undertaken to ensure that a suitable policy framework is in place and sufficient funds earmarked to enable the major metropolitan, regional and major rural airports to handle the growth that is expected over the next fifty years.
And while we’re at it, in terms of airport planning, it is essential that future airports be integrated into the industry and are not just places where passengers come to board aircraft, be exposed to excessive retail prices and gouged on parking fees and other charges. Airport planning needs to consider all parts of our industry from training and the location of maintenance facilities as well as the passenger’s “airport experience”.
We believe that airports should be planned and developed as aviation precincts with space allocated for dedicated maintenance facilities and training. Encouraging young people to join our industry, whether directly from secondary school or otherwise, is key to developing a sufficiently skilled and motivated workforce to ensure those traditionally-higher Australian aviation standards are maintained.
It’s also clear that Australian airlines compete with many foreign carriers. Some of those foreign airlines receive funding and other special assistance from their governments that unfairly favours them in competing against Australian airlines. The Australian Government needs to urgently address this unfair competition through means such as allowing Australian airlines access to accelerated depreciation rates or examining Incorporation and Principal Place of Business criteria tied to employment levels or activity.
Proposals such as these will assist our industry to prosper and ensure we encourage economic growth and keep skills, experience and good jobs in this country.
Supporting Australian Employment
Australian international air rights are a valuable asset belonging to this country and its people. The Australian Government routinely negotiates with other countries to allow Australian-designated international airlines and the corresponding country’s airlines to use those rights, such as for services between Australia and the United States.
But what happens when an Australian airline employs foreign Flight Attendants or foreign Pilots or carries out the majority of its maintenance offshore? This scenario is one that will see the valuable benefits of Australian air rights effectively leaked to other countries. In our view, Australian-designated airlines or those that are majority-owned or effectively controlled by Australians should be required to:
- employ all their technical crew and flight attendants onshore;
- carry out the majority of maintenance here; and
- have a locally employed Australian answer the phone when you call in to check flight details.
Employing Australians should not be limited to direct hire employees. Australian airlines that are allowed to exercise our valuable air rights should not outsource functions such as cell centres, maintenance divisions, engine overhaul work or computer development to firms based offshore.
These are our air routes; they should be operated in such a way that the direct and associated benefits flow to all Australians.
Keeping Qantas Australian
Prior to 1995, Qantas was our Government-owned national carrier. Over the years, Qantas had been called upon during times of war and other emergencies to assist our national cause and our citizens – wherever they were in the world. Even today, Qantas remains a major player in servicing our defence forces and is likely to remain so into the future. When Qantas was sold conditions were placed on the new owners by legislation to see the Australian nature of the airline retained. Today, Qantas management see these conditions as nothing but a burden.
Qantas is not just a brand, it is not just a fleet of aircraft and it certainly is not just a name on the stock exchange. It is still our airline. Nearly all Australians own a little piece of the airline through either direct
investment or part of their superannuation holdings. It’s clear that we need a government that is willing to enforce the terms of the Qantas Sale Act and, if necessary, update it to reflect the original intention.
One thing is for certain though - using the assets of the airline to create new offshore entities in an attempt to bypass Australian laws was not part of that original intention. The creation of airlines such as Jetstar and the concept of that airline (which is wholly owned by Qantas but not bound by the terms of the Qantas Sale Act) is nothing other than a diversion to reduce the security afforded to all Australians who love the carrier and still consider it our own.
Keeping CASA Effective
In terms of Australian Government departments or agencies the one probably most relevant to us, CASA, is bound by politics, bureaucracy and ineffectiveness. They are currently introducing a new licence scheme for Aircraft Engineers and many of the questions our Association has asked about the system’s operation have gone unanswered. We cannot advise our members what they can or can’t do legally because CASA don’t even know.
Instead, CASA surveyors are out hounding small Airline Operators because they have made paperwork errors whilst genuine complaints against major carriers in this country are left idle. There are problems with this organisation that is meant to be keeping our skies safe. Whether it is through lack of funding or corporate capture, a review of how they operate is well overdue. The current Government appear to be out of their depth in dealing with these issues, we need to ensure that the next Government isn’t.
Summary
The ALAEA Federal Executive has considered the matters contained within this policy paper pertaining to Aviation and the upcoming Federal Election. The motion to support the policy paper was adopted unanimously.
Steve Purvinas
Federal Secretary