EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Statement of Expectations for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2025
Issued by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport,
Regional Development and Local Government
Civil Aviation Act 1988
Outline
This Statement of Expectations (SoE) is issued by the Minister as a notice under section 12A of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (the Act) addressed to the Board of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Section 12A of the Act provides that the Minister may notify the Board of CASA in writing of the Minister’s views on CASA’s strategic direction and the manner in which it should perform its functions.
This SoE outlines the Minister’s expectations of CASA during the period 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2025.
The SoE emphasises the need for CASA to perform its functions in a manner that supports Government policy, including that aviation safety remains the highest priority. CASA is also expected to comply with relevant legislation and to keep me and the Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (the Department) informed of CASA’s activities.
The SoE addresses CASA’s governance, strategic direction and manner of performance, key initiatives and stakeholder engagement.
CASA was consulted as this SoE was being finalised.
Details of the SoE are set out in Attachment.
Section 10 of the Legislation (Exemptions and Other Matters) Regulation 2015 provides that notices given under section 12A of the Act which are legislative instruments under the Legislation Act 2003 are not subject to disallowance.
Authority: Section 12A of the Civil Aviation Act 1988
ATTACHMENT
Details of the Statement of Expectations
Section 1: Overview
This section confirms the name of the instrument, its duration, its replacement of the SoE issued on 13 January 2022.
This section also confirms the SoE is a notice to CASA under section 12A of the Act and that it sets out the Minister’s expectations as to CASA’s strategic direction and the manner in which it should perform its functions.
It is expected that CASA will respond with a Statement of Intent within three months of the date of the SoE.
Section 2: Governance
This section sets out the Minister’s expectations of both the Board of CASA and the Director of Aviation Safety (DAS). It also sets out Ministerial expectations on CASA’s transparency and the need for CASA to keep the Minister and the Department fully informed about developments, particularly those which may materially impact upon CASA’s operations.
It is expected that the Board will regularly assess its own skills, and to manage conflicts of interest. It is also expected that CASA will perform its functions consistent with Australia’s international obligations, particularly those related to the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Section 3: Strategic direction and manner of performance
This section confirms the Minister’s expectation that CASA must regard the safety of air navigation as the most important consideration.
It is expected that CASA will operate in compliance with relevant legislation, and that its resources will be used in a proper manner. The conduct and values of CASA’s Board and staff should be consistent with those of the Australian Public Service.
It is expected that CASA will continue to be a world leading aviation safety regulator, that it will keep me informed of publications and other communications, and cooperate with Parliamentary Committees and other accountability mechanisms.
The Minister expects CASA to operate in accordance with its Regulatory Philosophy.
Section 4: Key Initiatives
This section outlines the Minister’s expectation that CASA will focus on key initiatives the Minister’s within this section of the SoE.
Section 5: Stakeholder Engagement
This section details the Minister’s expectations that CASA will effectively engage with stakeholders in delivering optimal safety advice to Government, the aviation sector and the broader community.
Attachment A: The Regulatory Philosophy of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority
The Attachment to the SoE sets out the ten principles guiding CASA’s performance of its functions, and its engagement with the community.
This is a legislative instrument which is not subject to disallowance. Consequently, no Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights is required (per section 9 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011).
The Hon. Catherine King MP
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government