EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
AIRSERVICES AUSTRALIA – STATEMENT OF EXPECTATIONS
Statement of Expectations – Airservices Australia
Outline
The Statement of Expectations was issued by the Government as a notice of strategic direction under Section 17 of the Air Services Act 1995 to Airservices Australia.
Section 17 of the Air Services Act 1995 provides that the Minister may notify Airservices Australia in writing of the Minister’s views on the appropriate strategic direction for Airservices Australia and the manner in which it should perform its functions.
The Statement of Expectations outlines the Minister’s expectations for the agency in regard to its operations and performance over the period 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011.
The new statement replaces the previous statement which was issued by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, on 23 October 2008.
The Statement emphasises the need for Airservices Australia to perform its functions in a manner that supports Government policy including that aviation safety remains the highest priority.
Other major areas covered by the Statement include Airservices Australia’s infrastructure investment, establishment of an Aircraft Noise Ombudsman, implementation of environmental initiatives and workforce planning.
The Statement also lays out the Government’s expectations in relation to the way Airservices Australia conducts its functions and the need for consultation with Government agencies and industry bodies.
Details of the Statement of Expectations are set out in the Attachment.
Airservices Australia was consulted in finalising the Statement.
Notices issued under section 17 of the Air Services Act 1995 are a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.
The Statement of Expectations came into effect on 1 July 2010 and expires on 30 June 2011.
Authority: Section 17 of the Air Services Act 1995
ATTACHMENT
Details of the Statement of Expectations
Item 1 – Government Policy
This item requires Airservices Australia to ensure that its activities are aligned with all relevant Government policies, with the highest priority afforded to aviation safety.
Item 2 – Implementing Relevant White Paper Initiatives
The Government outlined a number of air traffic management and other initiatives in the National Aviation Policy White Paper. Effective implementation of a number of these initiatives will require a good working relationship between Airservices and the Department, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Department of Defence.
Item 3 – Provision of Information, Assistance or Advice
This item aims to ensure that Airservices engages constructively and provides information and advice to Government to assist in the work of portfolio agencies performing aviation regulatory and policy functions.
Item 4 –Environmental Responsibilities
This item requires Airservices to continue playing a key role in supporting the Government’s environmental initiatives in relation to the environmental impacts of aircraft operations, including aircraft noise management. Airservices has been specifically asked to provide a detailed environmental work program and advice in relation to the potential wider use of Required Navigation Performance (RNP) at Australian airports.
Item 5 – Establishment of an Aircraft Noise Ombudsman
This item refers to the National Aviation White Paper initiative to establish an Aircraft Noise Ombudsman.
Item 6 – Provision of Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS)
Airservices will continue to provide ARFFS functions for civil and joint user airports where required in accordance with civil aviation safety regulations.
Item 7 – Joint Civil and Military Aviation Harmonisation Initiatives
This item requires Airservices to continue to work with the Department of Defence to enhance civil and military air traffic management system harmonisation to realise the benefits of improved safety, better investment in personnel and infrastructure, seamless systems compatibility and smarter procurement practices.
Item 8 - Future Investment in Technology and Infrastructure
This item articulates the need for Airservices Australia to support investment in aviation infrastructure through a sound financial platform.
Item 9 – Long Term Pricing Agreement
A new Long Term Pricing Agreement (LTPA) with industry is to take effect from 1 July 2011 for a five year period. The Government expects that Airservices’ revenues generated by the LTPA will reflect the need to continue to invest in current and future infrastructure and services, maintain an appropriate return on assets and support the introduction of new or enhanced safety services particularly at major regional airports.
Item 10 – Sustainable Workforce Planning
Airservices needs to ensure that it can maintain a sustainable and highly skilled workforce to service growing demand for services and support current and future investment in infrastructure and technology. The provision of an ongoing Airservices workforce plan, annually updated, is consistent with this objective.
Item 11 – Harmonisation, Regional Safety
Australia has an important role to play in assisting our regional partners to meet their air traffic management responsibilities. Airservices will continue to support the Australian Government’s aviation safety initiatives in the Asia Pacific region.
Items 12 – Professionalism and Accountability
This item aims to ensure that Airservices operates in a manner consistent with the standards expected of a highly professional public sector organisation with a strong culture of accountability and transparency.