Fuel excise up to fund CASA expansion

Federal Parliament has approved legislation which provides a 30 per cent increase over four years to CASA's annual budget. That's almost A$90 million more.

The additional funding is intended to allow CASA to employ up to 97 more safety specialists, safety analysts, airworthiness inspectors and other staff, Thus "allowing the organisation to expand its surveillance activities and fulfil its increasingly complex regulatory responsibilities".

The money will also be used to provide more staff training to lift the quality of service and oversight.

And it will enable CASA to undertake permanent random alcohol and drug testing, instead of the ad hoc funding that has been in place until now.

Finally, the finding will ensure that the Office of Airspace Regulation "continues to have the resources to properly regulate and administer Australia’s airspace, an area covering almost 11 per cent of the earth’s surface".

However, the money will flow from what the Minister's office describes as "a small increase in the aviation fuel excise"; but what is in fact a 25 per cent hike in the levy.

The Minister believes this to be "a reasonable and responsible step"- and plays the 'safety' card as usual. But the industry might take a different view, particularly given the expansion of CASA over recent times.