White Paper cops flak, but defenders vocal

Now that the holiday season is over, and there's been time to fully digest the White Paper released immediately before Christmas, we are starting to see reaction from industry.

 

Yesterday we published the response of RAAA CEO Paul Tyrrell. Now here's s statement issued following a Canberra meeting last week of the Australian Aviation Associations Forum:

 

Forum participants unanimously expressed thanks to the Government for undertaking a thorough policy review resulting in a comprehensive aviation policy document, but expressed disappointment in the White Paper.

 

They indicated that the Government had missed a great opportunity to establish more aviation jobs in Australia and to help the industry deliver better services to Australians.

 

Participants said that the white paper was little more than a description of the past and present initiatives with little or no vision for the future.

 

Forum members agreed that the policy does little to address government costs imposed on the industry, and nothing to paint a vision for a vibrant and growing aviation industry in the same way that comparable countries such as Brazil and Canada have.

 

Issues of particular concern discussed by forum participants included:

 

• Lack of government engagement with industry, its concerns and suggestions

 

• Lack of recognition of the importance of aviation infrastructure to the nation

 

• Lack of rationale for security measures (aircraft weight based), implementation and costings

 

• Lack of detail in addressing the long-term aviation skills shortage

 

• Urgent need for improvements in the aviation liability regime

 

• CASA regulatory ‘reform’ schedule and ‘consultation’

 

• Overall cost impositions by government and lack of consistency

 

Forum participants indicated that they would continue to work with the Government and relevant departments to address the many outstanding issues.

 

The forum’s participating associations represent tens of thousands of pilots, aviation business owners, employees, airport operators, airlines, aircraft charter companies, maintainers and sport aviation enthusiasts in the aviation industry across Australia.

 

Individual forum participants will be able to comment in depth on their particular areas of concern and expertise.

 

Interestingly, despite the comprehensive mix of industry sectors represented at last week's meeting, only five associations put their names to the above communiqué.

 

They were the Aerial Agricultural association of Australia, the Australian Airports Association, the Australian Business Aircraft Association, the Regional Aviation Association of Australia and the Royal Federation of Aero Clubs of Australia.

 

That may suggest  a lack of conviction - or it may mean that some delegates to the Forum are wary of alienating bureaucratic forces.

 

Certainly the results of our informal poll on the Aviation Business website reflect widespread disappointment with the White paper, but there also plenty of supporters out there.

 

The airlines were quick to express their support for the Paper - and we have taken calls from some industry luminaries who, while admitting that the White Paper might have delivered more, it is still a landmark document for the industry.

 

For instance, industry figurehead Peter Lloyd told us that "while the White paper may not have great vision it still provides a solid basis for moving forward". He described the document as "the best step forward in aviation in this country in 50 years".

 

Your contribution to the debate is welcome - either here now, or via email.