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 (Airservices).
Section 17 of the Air Services Act 1995 provides that the Minister may notify Airservices in writing of the Minister’s views on the appropriate strategic direction for Airservices 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 2011 to 30 June 2013.
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 10 June 2010.
The Statement emphasises the need for Airservices to perform its functions in a manner that supports Government policy including that aviation safety remains the highest priority. Airservices is also expected to comply with relevant legislation and to keep the Minister and the Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure and Transport informed of Airservices’ actions and initiatives.
Other major areas covered by the Statement include Airservices’ infrastructure investment, supporting the role of the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman, implementation of environmental initiatives, stakeholder engagement and workforce planning.
The Statement outlines the Government’s expectations in relation to the way Airservices conducts its functions and the need for consultation with the community, industry and Government agencies.
Details of the Statement of Expectations are set out in the Attachment.
Airservices 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 commences on 1 July 2011 and expires on 30 June 2013.
Authority: Section 17 of the Air Services Act 1995.
ATTACHMENT
Details of the Statement of Expectations
Item 1 – Stakeholder Engagement
This item requires Airservices to effectively engage with key stakeholders i.e. the community, industry and Government in relation to the development and implementation of significant changes to air traffic and fire fighting services.
Item 2 – Government Policy
This item requires Airservices to ensure that its activities are aligned with all relevant Government policies, with the highest priority afforded to aviation safety.
Item 3 – Implementing Relevant White Paper Initiatives
The Government has outlined a number of ongoing air traffic management and other airspace initiatives in the National Aviation Policy White Paper. Effective implementation of these initiatives requires a good working relationship between Airservices and the Department of Infrastructure and Transport, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Department of Defence.
Item 4 – 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, including relevant aviation and airport studies.
Item 5 –Environmental Responsibilities
This item requires Airservices to play a key role in supporting the Government’s initiatives in relation to the management of environmental impacts of aircraft operations, including aircraft noise. Airservices is expected to implement the recommendations from the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman’s report on Airservices handling of noise complaints, establish and annually update a detailed environmental work program and to continue work on an implementation plan for the potential wider use of Required Navigation Performance (RNP) at Australian airports.
Item 6 – Airport Planning
This item requires Airservices to contribute to a coordinated approach to airport planning including the appropriate participation in a number of cross agency, industry and community forums including Planning Coordination Forums and Community Aviation Consultation Groups.
Item 7 – Air Traffic Management Policy
Consistent with the Government’s Air Traffic Management Policy, Airservices is expected to develop and implement an Air Traffic Management Services and Facilities plan which outlines Airservices’ future planned investment in infrastructure, equipment and personnel skills and training.
Item 8 – 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 aviation safety regulations and detail arrangements with State and Territory fire authorities on each agencies roles and responsibilities at the ARFFS airports.
Item 9 – 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 10 - Future Investment in Technology and Infrastructure
This item articulates the need for Airservices to support investment in aviation infrastructure, including at regional airports.
Item 11 – 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 12 – 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 13 – Public Sector 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.