Election Aviation Policies

[runway16]

The Labour party quietly released its aviation policies last night.
Too little too late one could say.

The only media that appears to have run with the release has been the Australia's aviation section.

It was in 1989 that the ALP said that aviation was vital to the economic well being of Australia.
The last minute release of its aviation policies does not reflect those words. :=

The Australian reports that labour wants to establish a 20 year plan for aviation, tackle industry fragmentation and promote a more cohesive government approach if it wins power.

The Liberals on the other hand have opted to inject monies into an aviation tech college in WA plus put monies into an Royal aero club controlled scholarship scheme to raise the number of new commercial pilots. A certain regional airline has got involved here with assisted students being in effect bonded to it for several years.
Again too little too late. The problems of aviation right now were apparent to the industry a long time ago but still nothing happened until election time.

We can but wait and see what the outcome is to be tomorrow. I do not hold my breath.

It is apparent that aviation does not give many votes so it can be played with like a football until the last minute and then make a shoot-from-the-hip policy decision, sometimes in the favour of the best spin doctor's employer.

This country is the loser.

[vans]

“Positions Wanted” advertisement in one of the major newspapers after Whitlam got his marching orders.
Previous head of large aviation concern seeks position in Transport. Prefer ships or trains.
Apply Charlie J & Co
Bye Bye Mark! Another in a long line of failed Ministers in Aviation/Transport. Will the shadow Minister be any different……I think not? Too busy feathering their own nests.

[Going Boeing]

My correspondence with Rudd has confirmed that it is Labor party policy to impose a curfew on BNE airport - how backward is that.

[apacau]

LABOR’S STATEMENT ON AVIATION 2007
Martin Ferguson AM MP
Shadow Minister for Transport
CAMPAIGN 2007
Aviation is a lifeblood industry for Australia – a critical service for our economy, our regions and linking us to the world.
Australia has a proud aviation history, but we have no aviation plan for the future.
The industry has rallied to recover from the impact of 9/11, the demise of Ansett, SARS and the Bali bombings – with unprecedented growth fuelled by the resources boom, low cost carriers and larger aircraft into regional airports.
But the Howard Government has not prepared for this growth. It has continued in spite of the Howard Government’s mismanagement and inaction, but this can not continue.
Aviation activity is predicted to double by 2020, but our airlines are cancelling services on a daily basis because they can’t get pilots.
Regulatory reform has been slow and divisive. The Deputy Prime Minister has resorted to an external investigator to sort out differences between the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
Agencies are not aligned on a clear policy direction.
General aviation is the nurturing ground for future commercial pilots and aviation workers, but the sector has been neglected.
Safe, comfortable and affordable air travel is a reality for thousands more Australians as larger jets service more regional airports, but those airports still struggle to deliver the necessary infrastructure.
Long haul, low cost carriers are looking for opportunities in Australia that would be a great boost to our tourism industry.
Great advances in aircraft technology and types are creating challenges and opportunities that must be tapped – not just the large passenger jets, but the emerging air taxi and business jet market using very light jets and highly efficient modern business piston engine craft.
The Howard Government has not prepared for the future. They have no plan to harvest these opportunities.
During the first twelve months in office, a Rudd Labor Government will work with the aviation industry to develop an national plan – Australia’s Future Aviation Plan.
A NATIONAL AVIATION PLAN
The Australia’s Future Aviation Plan will set a framework for Australian aviation for the next 20 years and include the following elements:
1. Future growth and capability gaps -
A detailed analysis of future passenger, movement and freight growth is required, including an expose of any policy or regulatory barriers and capability gaps threatening the achievement of that growth.
2. An integrated approach to redressing capability gaps –
The plan will integrate all sectors of the aviation industry. The industry has been fragmented. To meet the requirements of future growth in air travel, all sectors have a role to play.
3. World leader in aviation training –
There is a significant unrealised export earning potential in our region for provision of pilot, maintenance engineering, air traffic control, aviation fire fighting and airport operations training.
The plan will give primary focus to options to redress the current skill gap for Australia’s growth, but will also include a strategy to grow Australia’s aviation training export earnings and reputation of Australian training organisations.
4. A more cohesive Government approach, with improved co-ordination across agencies and leveraging opportunities from sharing civilian and defence aviation assets.
5. General Aviation – General aviation is struggling and needs renewal. The partnership between airport owners and general aviation industry needs rebuilding. Privatisation of airports was not intended to result in the damage to this important relationship, but it has caused damage at some airports. Both sides need to work together to prepare for the future.
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
Labor will bring the industry together with a cohesive vision for the future.
We can not sustain a future that sees the major carriers draining pilots trained by smaller regional airlines without investing in that training.
General aviation is under threat. The shape of the industry is changing.
The Howard Government’s industry action agenda has been deliberating for too long with no outputs.
Labor will encourage the early release of findings and urgently implement recommendations that will deliver for general aviation.
KEEPING IT CLEAN
Australia must take a sensible approach to reducing aviation’s impact on the environment and avoid solutions – such as those applied in Europe - that impose more costs on industry and the travelling public.
With current growth predictions and our reliance on aviation, Australia has to be a leader in creative solutions.
A significant reduction in emissions can be achieved through improved aircraft and navigation technologies and improved air traffic management.
As the jet fleet is renewed for quieter and more fuel efficient aircraft, industry is playing a role.
Airservices Australia has done a lot to improve air traffic management techniques and introduced a range of new measures to reduce fuel burn.
But more can be done.
Labor will challenge Airservices Australia to improve its practices and become a world leader in emissions friendly air traffic management practices.
This will include the development and reporting of indicators that enable measurement and tracking of aviation emissions and the effect of improved air traffic management practices.
MAKING IT EFFICIENT
An important part of preparing for the future is reducing the amount of delay and congestion in the aviation network.
Labor will also require airlines, airports and Airservices to work together to share information and monitor and reduce the cost of delay and congestion in our national aviation network, especially on the major interstate sectors.
KEEPING IT SAFE
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has not responded well to governance changes introduced by the Howard Government.
Labor enabled bi-partisan support for those changes, but they have clearly not improved the level of public accountability or regulatory outcomes.
The Howard Government has conceded all is not well - recently acting on the Queensland Coroner’s advice to conduct an external review of the relationship between the safety regulator (CASA) and the accident investigator (ATSB).
But this review does not go far enough.
Labor will appoint a small management Board and provide it with full delegation to manage the safety regulator. It will be a competent, professional board with the respect of Government, the community, business and the aviation industry.
It is not only the governance structure that has to change at CASA, but also its roles, responsibilities and culture.
Labor will separate the policy and regulatory reform function from that of compliance and enforcement.
There is a role for industry stakeholders in the first, but not in the second.
Regulatory reform and modernisation must be a priority for CASA.
AIRSERVICES
The previous Labor Government established Airservices and CASA as the first step toward separation of the regulatory functions from the air navigation service provision functions.
After twelve years, the Howard Government finally completed another important step when the airspace regulatory functions were removed from Airservices. But some environment regulatory functions still remain in Airservices.
Labor will ensure that all regulatory functions are removed from Airservices.
Airservices is playing an important leadership role in the improvement of aviation safety in our region. This is an important neighbourly role, but also an important function for Australian travellers.
For ten years, the Howard Government has dithered on the introduction of competition for aviation fire fighting and control tower services. After ten years of policy flapping and indecision, they refuse to concede that the policy is wrong.
Labor will not contract out aviation fire fighting or control tower services, but will require Airservices to demonstrate efficiencies to reduce the cost of these services to industry.
The cost of safety services must not be a barrier to their introduction, so it is critical that Airservices improves the efficiency of its service delivery while improving safety outcomes.
Labor will not privatise Airservices.
NETWORK CHARGING
Labor will not permit Airservices to return to location specific charging that leads to prohibitive cost imposts on regional Australians.
Airservices must work with airlines and airports to ensure that any new charging arrangements do not disadvantage regional Australia, ensure adequate returns to cover innovation and investment in new technologies and deliver a healthy return to the Australian Government.
AIRSPACE REFORM
The Howard Government has allowed airspace management to become politicised and captured by personal agendas of powerful individuals.
This will not continue under Labor.
The Office of Airspace Regulation, in consultation with Airservices Australia, will review the Australian Air Traffic Management Plan and remove aspects of the National Airspace System (NAS) that are not appropriate for Australia.
Labor will withdraw the Howard Government’s unnecessary radar direction. That direction issued to Airservices would impose unjustifiable costs on industry and had no safety or business case rationale.
INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE IN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
Both the aviation industry and the bureaucracy could benefit from an active exchange of information and ideas.
Labor will investigate options for a two way secondments or exchanges program designed to enhance industry knowledge in the Department and improve decision making.
INTERNATIONAL AIR SERVICES
International aviation is critical to the Australian economy and our participation in the world.
Air Service Agreements must be used to maximise the return for Australia as a nation, not for individual airports.
Labor will ensure that jobs and opportunities for the Australian airline industry are accorded highest priority when negotiating these bilateral agreements on a country to country basis.
AIRPORTS ACT
Labor will ensure that airports consult State and Local governments in relation to airport developments.
Labor will designate an Airport Development and Aviation Noise Ombudsman to receive complaints in relation to aircraft noise and development in populated areas and serve as a point of liaison with the Minister on these matters.

[Skystar320]

wHAT A WHole load of complete utter waful!

[vans]

See here http://www.liberal.org.au/about/documents/Aviation.pdf for Liberal's Statement on Aviation 2007

[virgindriver]

Quote "My correspondence with Rudd has confirmed that it is Labor party policy to impose a curfew on BNE airport - how backward is that."

Sounds like a good idea to me. I really don't like 4am reports.

Daylight saving would be a better option though- as much as I don't like it we still have to work to it.

Just my thoughts...

[SIUYA]

Thanks vans........

On p.17 in the document you've referred, the Coalition is claiming that:
During Labor’s time in office, the CAA had four Chairmen, four Chief Executives and seven safety regulation heads. :eek:

I'd have to say that I don't reckon that it's done so well under the coalition either! :8

After reading both of the policies, I'm still really at a loss to decide which 'contestant' will do best for Aviation! :confused:

[vans]

And also from this report:-
A key part of meeting these goals was the Coalition Government’s
introduction of the Aviation Regulation Review Taskforce, established
to undertake the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s regulatory reform
programme.
The Taskforce is scheduled to provide a formal report and
recommendations to the Minister by December 2007.
A re-elected Coalition Government will complete the Civil Aviation
Safety Authority’s regulatory reform programme
The Aviation Regulatory Reform Programme has now been going for nearly 10 years and has been well covered in another thread. Notice that the Coalition say that they will complete the programme, but once again the time frame for completion is missing. Why am I not surprised?
See here http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=164130
For the Regulatory Reform Programme Will Drift Along Forever

[Spaz Modic]

:bored: Now, if any of you jet jocks believe that load of krap old Mumbles, who, incidentally, is Charlie Jones reincarnated as he hates jet jocks, if you believe that stuff about "aviation being the lifeblood........", you sure deserve what you're gonna get IF the Dudd wins. Y'know, I remember a F/O who voted for Squawk in '83, 'cos he reckoned "Squawk will be wonderful for the country". A few years later as he pad the long and winding paths looking for employment, I often wondered if he remembered the folly of his wasted vote. I'll bet he did. In fact, I know he did.
From the threads in D & G, seems there are quite a few like him out there. Don't worry - I'm OK - Jacks and Jills. I'll just sit back and have a chuckle.:O

[Mr. Hat]

11 years ago.

How much for a medical?
How much for landing fees?
Airspace fees?
Flightservice/watch?
How much for an ASIC?
Did we have to go thru security?
How many Towers?
Taxes for pax?
Were we more or less of a target for terrorists?

and finally.......

How much were we paid and how much did an average house cost?

It's hardley rocket science kids.

[Jenna Talia]

I'll never forgive the Coalition for helping to fcuk the GA industry in the Sydney basin by selling off all 3 airports to the one conglomerate - of which part is a developer, resulting in the closure of YHOX in Oct 08 and the resultant price gouging at YSBK & YSCN. They will never get my vote for this despicable decision.

This does not mean that I will vote for Labor either.

JT

[Mr. Hat]

It was all about selling off the silverware to then boast about surplus'. And now the big spending spree as the ship sinks.

[tail wheel]

SIUYA. If my memory serves me correctly, in the past twelve years or so there has been only three CASA Directors: Leroy Keith, Mick Toller and the present incumbent.

[SIUYA]

Thanks tail wheel.............

The news has just indicated that the election appears to be a 'cliffhanger', but that Labor seems to be leading in the polls. Despite that, my comment of yesterday:

After reading both of the policies, I'm still really at a loss to decide which 'contestant' will do best for Aviation!

still stands I'm afraid. :confused:

I also think that despite my, ahem, apparent mistake about 'turnover' level in CASA (which you have alluded to) vans is correct, and if the Coalition is returned, then the:

Regulatory Reform Programme Will Drift Along Forever

Oh, there's just one more thing! It's a reminder to you if you accidentally reply to this post, you will die painfully and instantly! :}:}

[amos2]

Well, I have to tell you...Labor has won! As of half an hour ago! :(:(:(

Unfortunately, the trend is obvious! :sad::sad::sad:

[AirNoServicesAustralia]

The experts on ninemsn and abc.net.au won't call it but all the numbers say Labor has romped it in. It even looks like little Johnny is gonna get beaten in his own seat.

Thank god Aussies have seen sense finally. :ok:

[airsupport]

Sadly it appears so. :sad:
I think you will find this is the main reason............
His Labor successor as premier, Anna Bligh, said there had been a particularly strong response from young voters at the polling booths in the Brisbane seats of Ryan and Moreton.
"There was a very noticably high level of interest from young voters for the Labor how-to-vote cards," Ms Bligh told reporters at the main Labor function in Brisbane.
"There was a very high recognition of the Kevin07 campaign and young voters just walking in and saying 'Kevin07'.
"I have to say it's been a long time since I have seen particularly young voters respond to Labor that way.''

The trouble is so many young people voting today do not remember what it was like the last time Labor were in power. :eek:

[WynSock]

Lets not let this thread denigrate into a post-election bitch session. Why not really have a good hard look at what the next federal government will do for Australian aviation policies as a whole.

So we have had a change of government. Big deal. The sky won't fall in. Lets focus on the issues.

:hmm:

[Mr. Hat]

Bye John.:d:d:d:d:d

[WynSock]

Can he try for unfair dismissal? Or was he on an individual contract?


:}


Couldn't help meself.

[2b2]

The trouble is so many young people voting today do not remember what it was like the last time Labor were in power.

I see you're taking it just as well as all the talking head Libs on various TV shows! All in denial. :{


One word - Workchoices. :ugh:

[whaet]

I see you're taking it just as well as all the talking head Libs on various TV shows! All in denial.

haha did you see that labor fellow on the very right hand side of the channel 9 panel!?!?! drove me nuts!!!!

[SIUYA]

airsupport...............

The trouble is so many young people voting today do not remember what it was like the last time Labor were in power.

Hello!!!!! Of course they don't, because it's been so long since it happened! :rolleyes:

You refer to the Qld Premier saying:

I have to say it's been a long time since I have seen particularly young voters respond to Labor that way.

The Coalition's Work Choices policy appears to have been seen by many electors as a neo-conservative agenda that favoured business over employees. Particularly so with young people with respect to unfair dismissal laws only applying to larger businesses, and workers' perceived lack of bargaining power in workplace agreements.

In effect what Ms Bligh appears to be saying is that it's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere in the electorate's view, and aren't going anywhere in any case!

But as Wynsock rightly says:

So we have had a change of government. Big deal. The sky won't fall in. Lets focus on the issues.

Correct! In other words, there's nothing we can do about the Coalition's loss now, so let's all just get on with it under Labor!

PS. For the record, even after the election result I [I]still remain undecided as to which of the 'contestants' policies was going to do more for aviation in Australia.:confused:

[airsupport]

The quote I posted last night was from the Labor Premier of Queensland.

It was my thought all during the campaign that this may happen, so many people voting now are too young, or maybe were not in Australia, when Labor was last in power and thus do not know what it was like.

Personally, as I am now retired and my Wife and I have investments, Labor will be good for us with interest rates soaring back to where they got them to last time, however I voted Liberal for the sake of our Children and Grandchildren.

[2b2]

however I voted Liberal for the sake of our Children and Grandchildren
our kids worked it out fine all by themselves! :D

with interest rates soaring back to where they got them to last time,

what, when Howard was treasurer?


now, where's that AWA?

[airsupport]

what, when Howard was treasurer?
No, when Hawke and Abeles were running the place, interest rates of over 17%.
As I said before, it is the younger people that put Labor back in that (sadly) will suffer the most. :sad:

[vans]

On reading through Labor’s Aviation policy again, I am drawn to the conclusion that there is not much substance in it. It basically can be summed up with their statement Labor will bring the industry together with a cohesive vision for the future
How they plan to do this is unclear, as little in the way of specifics are mentioned.
As far as Airservices is concerned, there seems to be little again other than requiring it to work with airlines and airports. There is however a certain focus on requiring Airservices to deliver a healthy return to the Australian Government. Will this mean further staff cuts in order to see that itimproves the efficiency of its service delivery while improving safety outcomes.
It is clear that certain aspects of the NAS will be dismantled that are not appropriate for Australia. There is no mention at all of building or updating our airspace system.
The devastation which has occurred at our secondary airports since privatisation gets some mention, but no solutions are offered other than to say that Both sides need to work together to prepare for the future in relation to the Airport owners and their tenants.
Not exactly a dynamic plan for the future of aviation.
.

[mostlytossas]

Well aviation is just not a major issue with both parties and what that essentially means is the Deptments will advise the Govt and do it's bidding and life basically rumbells on. But don't knock it. Any time there is a major review by any government it invariably leads to cutbacks, costsavings and charges to to end user.

[Jeps]

Labors Policy doesn't really show any priority for the future of aviation in Australia. Things such as pilot training and the initiatives needed to attempt to lower the Pilot shortage and many other shortages that are occurring in the industry at the moment that could potentially cripple it in this country. Maybe Mr Rudd needs to be further educated about the current state of the industry in this country, once he is shown some figures...He's a smart guy he can figure it out for himself.

Maybe I'll fire off an email in his general direction, with the naive hope of receiving a reply with substance.

Jeps

[tinpis]

Pilot shortage problem will be solved by usual Labor solution

Recession.

[jaded boiler]

Dr O, you and others of a similar political mindset on this forum, appear to be unhappy, frustrated and upset as a result of the federal election.

Schadenfreude is such a wonderful feeling. :}

[Hempy]

http://i.treehugger.com/files/john%20howard.jpg

[tinpis]

Has Christmas been cancelled yet? :uhoh:

[Capt Kremin]

Oakenfold, people will treat you a lot more seriously when you can string a cogent argument together without the string of obscenities. All it shows is a seriously deficient vocabulary and a total lack of awareness of how to get your point across.

[Jabawocky]

Someone posted and I can not verify its truth, that recent interest rate rises were most likely caused by high borrowings by state governments, and with a record of doing this......one has to wonder:uhoh:.

I remember the geography question .....What is the Capital of Victoria?? No not Melbourne, its a dollar fifty!!!:}

J

[To infinity & beyond]

Mr Hat Said


11 years ago.

How much for a medical?
How much for landing fees?
Airspace fees?
Flightservice/watch?
How much for an ASIC?
Did we have to go thru security?
How many Towers?
Taxes for pax?
Were we more or less of a target for terrorists?


Can someone name ONE good thing the the "previous" (Libs) government have done. Selling airports, user fees, increased regulation etc.

Now, don't respond with "the booming economy". Also we are only talking about the Libs, not what Labor might or might not be going to do.

[Flight Me]

O DR O, all will be OK. Kevin is not as educated as you, but he is close.:{

[vans]

To be honest, I can’t think of anything good the Coalition have done for aviation. But don’t be clapping too loudly; Labor has a pretty poor record in this area too – have you forgotten Charlie Jones? And based on the current Labor Aviation Policy, perhaps you can also list all the good things you expect from Labor in the next 3 years. Then, at the end of their term, we will make a little tally and see who fairs best!

[Wunwing]

After 40 years in the industry of course I am sceptical of any new government.History has shown each one gives us a worse run than the last.

However a few years ago , during the deregulation period, I spent a bit of time in Canberra representing airline staff interests. I found very little understanding or interest amongst the Lib/Nats outside of their own special interests ie can farmers export more cheaply. Certainly they had little working knowledge of our of our day to day problems which eventually caused them some problems when they didn't listen to our opinions on airspace etc.

I did spend a bit of time with Labor and discovered that they actually knew a lot and what was more, were interested to learn. Lindsay Tanner is ex ASU and has represented airline staff and has a wide knowledge of the subject. I also spent a day with Martin Ferguson and found his knowledge of aviation almost encyclopedic.

We can only judge Labor on what they produce, but I for one am hopefull that at least they are willing to listen and learn rather than just inflict us with with the poorly researched and badly implemented policies that we have experienced over the last few years.

[airsupport]

have you forgotten Charlie Jones?
No, he was looking after Aviation, until Reg Ansett told him to just stick to the Trucks and Trains, and he (Reg) would look after Aviation. ;)

[tio540]

Who was that man with Kevin Rudd, when he made the acceptance speech?

[Track Coastal]

Dr Oak and Tio,

You make me laugh (loudly) :E. Its over, the sun came up and the ASX200 rallied.

Where do you live? There are institutions for the twitter and bisted devoid of reality.

http://www.mentalhealth.asn.au/

[jaded boiler]

"foreign exchange markets were not showing a strong reaction to the weekend federal election".

[teresa green]

As a victim of the dreaded 89, even the word "labor" makes me feel like throwing up, however one must move on, but the antics of the ABC here in Brissie, and the aduration and the fawning to the bloke, I was beginning to think that JC himself had won the baggy green. Time will tell if its all bull$#^& or he is genuine. Is it only me or does that first officer of his look like a turtle without a shell?

[Charlie Foxtrot India]

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but I understood "selling airports" was the bright idea of the Keating government???

[pbwhi0]

CFI - you are correct. It was a Labour Government that first proposed 'selling airports'. Archerfield Airport is suffering like all GA airports at the moment.

Prior to the election the Archerfield Airport Chamber of Commerce invited the local Liberal candidate (and sitting member) and Labour candidate to attend a chamber meeting to address members on their respective aviation policy with particular regard to GA. Only the Labour member, Graham Perrett accepted our offer. In fact Graham attended two meetings, the first of which was also attended by Martin Ferguson. The members were certainly impressed with Martin's candid responses and his knowledge of aviation.

Martin confirmed that Labour would continue along the privatisation lines, however he acknowledged that GA is currently struggling with airports under the control of the Airport Leasing Companies. Martin commented that the then Government (Coalition), did not have the balance right with respect to GA airports and the aviation sector and he made a committment that Labour would be looking to redress this situation if elected - sooner rather than later.

On the other hand Mark Vaile and the then local member, Gary Hardgrave refused to meet with the Chamber. Mark Vaile is aware of the Chamber's existence as one report provided to Mr Vaile a couple of months ago into the alleged illegal construction of a corporate hanger has only resulted in a reduction of IFR TODA being reduced from 1,471 metres to 1,095 metres (refer Notam for Archerfield). Instead of seeking removal of the building and returning the airport to pre-privatisation standards, the coalition Government simply 'allowed' the airport to be degraded. Ironically, these hangers in question will house corporate jets that may not be able to take off in bad weather under IFR conditions due to the substantially reduced TODA.
Labour offers the only hope to save GA around this country. Lets hope they can live up to their promises.

http://www.aacci.org.au

[Tmbstory]

# Post 45.

I do remember C J when he was a member of the then ruling Government.

He was delayed in Canberra due fog & was supposed to connect to my flight Sydney / Newcastle. My passengers wanted to leave on time, which we did. ( there was another flight to Newcastle an hour later), however C J thought I should be fired for not waiting for him.

I continued to fly !

Tmb

[flyingfox]

Thanks Teresa Green. I was trying to think where I'd seen that look before! (You could sell that idea to a cartoonist.)