Statement of Expectations For the Board of Airservices Australia For the period 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011

Overview

The Air Services Act 1995, enacted by the Australian Parliament, established a legislative framework governing the provision of air services and air navigation infrastructure in Australia. The primary purpose of this Act was to ensure the safe and efficient management of air services while facilitating the development of a robust aviation infrastructure. As part of its ongoing oversight, the Government issued the Statement of Expectations under Section 17 of the Air Services Act 1995, to guide Airservices Australia for the period from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011. This Statement of Expectations, issued by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Hon Anthony Albanese MP, emphasised the importance of aligning Airservices Australia’s operations with overarching government policies, with a paramount focus on aviation safety. The Statement also outlined expectations regarding Airservices Australia’s infrastructure investment, environmental initiatives, workforce planning, and its collaboration with government agencies and industry bodies. This strategic document aimed to ensure Airservices Australia's functions supported broader government objectives and regulatory frameworks.

Scope and Application

The Statement of Expectations issued under section 17 of the Air Services Act 1995 provides strategic direction for Airservices Australia, focusing on its operations and performance from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011. This legislative instrument sets out the Minister’s expectations for the agency, encompassing a range of areas including alignment with Government policies, implementation of white paper initiatives, provision of information and advice to government agencies, environmental responsibilities, establishment of an Aircraft Noise Ombudsman, and the provision of aerodrome rescue and fire-fighting services. Additionally, it addresses the need for harmonisation between civil and military aviation, future investment in technology and infrastructure, sustainable workforce planning, and regional safety initiatives. The Statement also underscores the importance of professionalism and accountability within Airservices Australia. The Act applies directly to Airservices Australia, guiding its functions and operations to align with national aviation policy and safety standards. The geographic scope of the Act is national, as it pertains to the overarching aviation services provided across Australia. While the Statement of Expectations sets out the strategic direction, it does not specify exclusions or exemptions but rather outlines the expectations for Airservices Australia to meet in its operational and performance capacities. The legislative instrument does not extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments but serves as a direct notification of the Minister's strategic views under the authority provided by the Air Services Act 1995.

Key Provisions

The Statement of Expectations, issued under Section 17 of the Air Services Act 1995 (Section 17), provides strategic direction for Airservices Australia from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011. This Statement replaces the previous one issued on 23 October 2008 by the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. It outlines the Minister's expectations for Airservices Australia, particularly focusing on aligning their operations with government policies, prioritising aviation safety, infrastructure investment, environmental initiatives, and workforce planning. Airservices Australia is required to align its activities with relevant government policies, placing the highest importance on aviation safety (Item 1). It must effectively implement initiatives outlined in the National Aviation Policy White Paper, fostering collaboration with key government bodies such as the Department, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and the Department of Defence (Item 2). Airservices is also expected to engage constructively with the government, providing necessary information, assistance, or advice to support aviation regulatory and policy functions (Item 3). Furthermore, the agency must continue to support government environmental initiatives, particularly managing the environmental impacts of aircraft operations, including aircraft noise management, and provide a detailed environmental work program (Item 4). There are specific obligations for Airservices Australia, including the implementation of a Long Term Pricing Agreement (LTPA) with industry, effective from 1 July 2011 for a five-year period. The government expects Airservices' revenues from the LTPA to reflect the need for continued investment in infrastructure and services, maintaining an appropriate return on assets, and supporting new or enhanced safety services at major regional airports (Item 9). Additionally, Airservices must ensure it has a sustainable and highly skilled workforce to meet growing service demands and support infrastructure and technology investments, with an annual update to the workforce plan (Item 10). The agency must also continue to provide aerodrome rescue and firefighting services (ARFFS) for civil and joint user airports in accordance with civil aviation safety regulations (Item 6). Failure to comply with the provisions of the Statement of Expectations can result in various consequences. While the Statement itself does not explicitly detail specific penalties for non-compliance, breaches of related legislative frameworks and agreements could result in civil or criminal penalties. For instance, non-compliance with safety regulations could attract significant fines and other penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations. Additionally, failure to adhere to financial and operational expectations could lead to broader governmental repercussions, including potential audits, financial penalties, or loss of operational licenses. The overarching intent is to ensure Airservices Australia meets its strategic obligations effectively and transparently.