EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
AIRSERVICES AUSTRALIA – STATEMENT OF EXPECTATIONS
Statement of Expectations – Airservices Australia
Outline
The Statement of Expectations was issued as a notice of strategic direction under section 17 of the Air Services Act 1995, by the authority of the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government 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 November 2008 to 30 June 2010. The longer period of the Statement provides greater certainty for the Board in performing its functions and better aligns with Airservices financial reporting requirements.
The new statement replaces the previous statement issued by the former Minister for Transport and Regional Services, the Hon Mark Vaile MP, on 12 March 2007.
The Statement emphasises the need for Airservices Australia to perform its functions in a manner that supports Government policy with a particular focus on aviation safety. Other major areas covered by the Statement include Airservices Australia’s infrastructure investment, workforce planning, and support for environmental initiatives. 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 and the Department of Finance and Deregulation, were 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 November 2008 and expires on 30 June 2010.
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 a particular focus on aviation safety.
Item 2 – Relationship between Airservices and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government and other agencies
This item aims to ensure that relationships are open, cooperative and coordinated with other Australian Government agencies and to enable Airservices to make a timely and effective contribution to the development of the National Aviation Policy Statement.
Item 3 – Appropriate Resourcing for Environmental Functions
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 noise management, by continuing to ensure appropriate resourcing of the Noise Enquiry Unit.
Items 4 & 5 – Financial Management and Future Investment in Infrastructure
These items articulate the need for Airservices Australia to maintain and improve a sound financial platform and to support investment in aviation infrastructure, including the replacement of ageing radar and navigation aids.
Item 6 – Long Term Pricing Agreement
Airservices Long Term Pricing Agreement (LTPA) with industry expires on 31 December 2009. A new five year agreement is currently being developed. The Government expects that Airservices’ revenues will reflect its needs in terms of: current and future operating and capital expenditure requirements; asset maintenance and replacement; and as appropriate, return on those assets.
Item 7 – 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. Ongoing workforce planning capability to meet immediate and future operational needs is also required.
Item 8 – Asia Pacific Regional Assistance
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 9 & 10 – Professionalism, accountability and consultation
These items aim to ensure that there is a strong focus on building a highly professional organisation with a strong culture of accountability and transparency.
Government policy also calls for an inclusive approach to planning and service delivery by actively engaging and consulting with a range of stakeholders including other government aviation agencies and industry in a timely manner.