Australia's Government to establish external review of aviation safety and regulation

Australia's Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss announced (10-Oct-2013) the Government plans to establish an external review of aviation safety and regulation in the country. The review will investigate structures and processes of all aviation agencies involved in aviation safety, the relationship and the interaction of those agencies, the outcomes and directions of the country's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulatory review process and benchmarking of its regulatory framework against comparable overseas jurisdiction. The review will be undertaken by "an experienced member of the international aviation community." Mr Truss said establishment of the review is well advanced and a formal announcement will be made shortly. The Government also intends to improve CASA's structure and governance, enhance the role of the Industry Complaints Commissioner and make review aviation security arrangements to determine if current measures are appropriate using a risk-based approach. Mr Truss also said work commenced to establish a formal Aviation Industry Consultative Council to discuss matters of concern to the broader aviation industry. [more - original PR]