EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
2015 STATEMENT OF EXPECTATIONS FOR THE
BOARD OF AIRSERVICES AUSTRALIA.
Statement of Expectations – Airservices Australia
Outline
The Statement of Expectations (the Statement) 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 regards to its operations and performance over the period 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2017.
The new Statement also replaces the previous statement which was issued by the then Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, on 29 April 2013.
The Statement emphasises the need for Airservices to perform its functions in a manner that supports Government policy initiatives including the Government’s response to the Aviation Safety Regulation Review Report. Airservices is also expected to comply with relevant legislation and to keep the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development and the Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development (the Department) informed of Airservices’ actions and initiatives.
Other major areas covered by the Statement include Airservices’ infrastructure investment programme, careful management of Airservices’ capital expenditure programme, implementation of environmental initiatives, effective 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 2015 and expires on 30 June 2017.
Authority: Section 17 of the Air Services Act 1995.
ATTACHMENT
Details of the Statement of Expectations
Introduction
The introduction repeals the previous Statement of Expectations for the Board of Airservices Australia (Airservices) for the period from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2015 and establishes that this Statement of Expectations is a notice of strategic direction to Airservices under Section 17 of the Air Services Act 1995. The Statement of Expectations will commence on 1 July 2015 and stops having effect at the end of 30 June 2017.
Items 1-2 – Legislative and Governance Reporting
These items require the Board to ensure Airservices acts in accordance with the Air Services Act 1995, Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and other relevant legislation and legal instruments. The Board is also expected to keep the Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development (the Minister) and the Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development (the Secretary) informed about the activities and initiatives of Airservices. The Board of Airservices is also expected to alert the Minister and the Secretary if any issues or events impact the operations of Airservices.
Item 3 – Stakeholder Engagement
This item requires Airservices to effectively consult with the community, industry and Government in relation to the development and implementation of significant changes to air traffic and aviation rescue and fire fighting services.
Item 4 – Implementing Relevant Government Air Traffic Initiatives
The Government has a number of ongoing air traffic management and other airspace policy initiatives including outcomes arising from the Government’s response to the Aviation Safety Regulation Review Report. Effective implementation of these initiatives will require Airservices to work in conjunction with the Department, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and the Department of Defence.
Item 5 – Provision of Information, Assistance or Advice
This item requires Airservices to provide information and advice to other Government agencies to assist in their performance of regulatory and policy functions, including relevant aviation and airport studies.
Item 6 – 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 agreed recommendations from the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman, provide and report against a detailed annual environmental work plan and continue to work on the wider use of Required Navigation Performance (RNP) at Australian airports in consultation with the community and industry.
Item 7 – 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 such as planning coordination forums and community aviation consultation groups.
Item 8 – Provision of Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS)
Airservices will continue to provide ARFFS functions for civil and joint user airports where required by the establishment criteria set out in aviation safety regulations.
Item 9 – Joint Civil and Military Aviation Harmonisation
This item requires Airservices to continue to work with the Department of Defence, to enhance civil and military aviation harmonisation to realise the benefits of improved safety, better investment in personnel and infrastructure, seamless systems compatibility and smarter procurement practices. The provision confirms that Airservices will act as the lead agency in the joint future air traffic control system project.
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 – Efficient Delivery of Airservices Capital Expenditure Programme
This item requires Airservices to ensure it delivers its future capital expenditure programme in an efficient and timely manner and on budget.
Item 12 – Sustainable Workforce Planning
This item requires Airservices to focus efforts on human resources issues. Airservices must develop and implement proactive recruitment, training and retention polices that are consistent with Government workplace policies and publish an annual update to Airservices’ workforce plan.
Item 13 – Asia-Pacific Regional Aviation 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 14 – Public Sector Professionalism and Accountability
This item reflects that Airservices should operate in a manner consistent with the standards expected of a highly professional public sector organisation with a strong culture of accountability and transparency.