[Peetwo]

Hansard etc.. out??

Via APH:  Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee 20/09/2024
Impact and Mitigation of aircraft noise

Submissions link for public hearing: https://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ash...sions=true

For an insight into the potential future for the GA industry, if as predicted we end up with a Labor/Greens minority government after the next election, refer to the following video from the 50:50 minute mark...

Senator HODGINS-MAY: Thank you, Ms Marshall. My next question is related to leaded fuel. Is it okay to ask this question of this particular panel? I want to follow up on an unanswered question on notice to CASA about the use of leaded fuel—question No. SQ24-000959.

Mr Marcelja : Sorry, Senator, I don't have that one with me.

Senator HODGINS-MAY: You don't? Basically, I was just going to follow up on that and ask if it's correct that none of you—the department, Airservices Australia or CASA—collect data about the use of leaded fuel.

Mr Marcelja : That's correct; yes.

Senator HODGINS-MAY: You don't?

Mr Marcelja : We don't collect data. To my knowledge nobody does.

Senator HODGINS-MAY: Is it correct that leaded fuel is used by aircraft at both Brisbane and Archerfield airports?

Mr Marcelja : Low-lead fuel is used by most general aviation aircraft around the country; yes.

Senator HODGINS-MAY: Is there any explanation why no-one collects data on this?

Mr Marcelja : I guess the data would only exist in the volumes of fuel sold. The fuel providers might be able to provide volumes, but there's no requirement for anyone at this table to collect the data, so nobody does that.

Senator HODGINS-MAY: I'm aware that aircraft out of Archerfield Airport operate as mostly uncontrolled airspace below the arrival and departure paths from Brisbane Airport. Is that correct?

Mr Marcelja : I think that's a better question for Mr Curran.

Mr Curran : Sorry, would you mind repeating it?

Senator HODGINS-MAY: That's absolutely fine. Does aircraft out of Archerfield Airport operate as mostly uncontrolled airspace below the arrival and departure paths from Brisbane Airport?

Mr Curran : I don't think I could say that's mostly the case. Archerfield Airport is not a 24-hour operation. It can be the case that, depending on the time of day, depending on the particular destination and the flight path an individual flight wishes to take, they may be in controlled airspace or they may not be. Also, depending on the flight rules that a particular operation is operating to, Airservices may be providing a service or may not be providing a service.

Senator HODGINS-MAY: So the aircraft using lead based fuel from Archerfield Airport are not being monitored in any way in their fuel use, and they also aren't necessarily following any designated flight paths—it varies?

Mr Curran : That could be the case. If they're operating visually, they may well be complying with all the rules. It's possible to operate visually and not be receiving a service from us. It's possible to be operating visually and be receiving a service from us. It really would depend. It's very difficult to give a precise answer on that particular question.

Senator HODGINS-MAY: I raise that because the committee has been made aware, through a confidential submission, of a positive test for lead in tank water on a property located in Brisbane and not close to high-traffic road or industry. This is believed to be attributed to low-flying aircraft using lead based fuel. We also know the Environment Protection Agency in the US said last year:

… that emissions of lead from aircraft that operate on leaded fuel cause or contribute to air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health and welfare …

As a result, in the US they're aiming to stop using lead fuel by 2030. Considering this, I'm curious as to why the government doesn't monitor the use of leaded fuel and what lessons we might learn from that?

Ms Purvis-Smith : As has already been mentioned at the table, there are no requirements in any of the acts for us to monitor leaded fuel at the moment. There is no agency at the moment that is monitoring the use of leaded fuel.

Senator HODGINS-MAY: It just seems concerning that Archerfield Airport is right next to a primary school, Acacia Ridge State School, and we have significant concerns that there's no way the government can be sure that lead pollution isn't affecting the kids at that school. From my understanding, lead based fuel isn't mentioned at all in the Aviation white paper. Why is this? Do you have any response to maybe why it's not mentioned in the white paper?

Ms Purvis-Smith : The white paper is the government's policies for aviation going forward. They're the decisions that the government has made in relation to the aviation sector for the white paper.

Senator HODGINS-MAY: Okay, so no more information about potential plans to phase out the use of leaded fuel.

Mr Marcelja : Part of the issue, Senator, is most of our general aviation fleet is very old, and those aircraft and those engines were designed for a particular fuel type so that's the challenge that we all face.

Senator HODGINS-MAY: Okay

Plus for Part II:

   

8


Brisbane Airport New Parallel Runway Percentage Usage of Modes DRAFT EIS/MDP, tabled by Peter Curran, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Airservices Australia, at a public hearing in Canberra on 20 September 2024

9

Civil Aviation Safety Authority, opening statement, tabled by Andreas Marcelja, Acting Director of Aviation Safety, at a public hearing in Canberra on 20 September 2024

10

Western Sydney Airport, opening statement, tabled by Mr Simon Hickey, Chief Executive Officer, at a public hearing in Canberra on 20 September 2024

11

Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, Third Runway Major Development Plan, Melbourne Airport Conditions of Approval, tabled by Sarah Nattey, Assistant Secretary, Airports Branch - Domestic Aviation & Reform, at a public hearing in Canberra on 20 September 2024

Via Miniscule DK's media minions:

Reducing airport noise for Brisbane residents
The Albanese Government has taken further steps to offer aircraft noise relief for the Brisbane community, particularly for residents of suburbs closest to the end of the parallel runways at Brisbane Airport. 
I understand that aircraft noise is a source of frustration for communities living under the flight paths around the Airport. 
That is why I have now issued a written direction which has the effect of requiring Airservices to implement the actions within recommendation 2.1 of the Noise Action Plan for Brisbane by 30 November 2024.
This direction will involve Airservices prioritising the development of procedures to enable the greater use of Simultaneous Opposite Direction Parallel Runway Operations (SODPROPS) at Brisbane Airport, when meteorological and other operational conditions allow. 
Ultimately, this will mean more flights over the water and fewer flights over communities.
The direction also includes reporting requirements to enhance transparency for the community.
These actions will build on the progress Airservices has already made to improve aircraft noise outcomes for the Brisbane community as part of the Action Plan. Actions undertaken in 2023 include: 

• Permanently extending SODPROPS operations to 8am on Saturday and Sunday mornings and from 8pm on Saturday evenings 
  
• Removing the Noise Abatement Procedure that allowed the new runway to be used over land from 5am for non-jet departures 
  
• Implementing non-jet early turns from the legacy runway over land before 6am, so that aircraft cross the industrial area adjoining Brisbane Airport and complete their climb over water 
  
• A change of runway from the new parallel runway to the legacy one for over water departures to the west, to address an existing operational safety issue.
  

This adds to a range of measures announced through the Aviation White Paper that will better manage the impacts of noise at airports across the country.
These measures include:

• Creating an independent ombuds scheme for aircraft noise
  
• Appointing an Airservices Australia executive for noise and environment to lead the agency’s work on noise minimisation
  
• Improving engagement with communities affected by changes to airspace and flight paths. 
  

For more information, including to view the written direction and explanatory documents, visit https://infrastructure.gov.au/airservice...-direction.

---

Date published:
 
18 September 2024

The Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, has issued a written direction to Airservices Australia under section 16(1) of the Air Services Act 1995. The written direction has the effect of requiring Airservices Australia to implement the actions within recommendation 2.1 of the Noise Action Plan for Brisbane by 30 November 2024.

Document
 Air Services (Use of Simultaneous Opposite Direction Parallel Runway Operations at Brisbane Airport) Direction 2024 (583.54 KB)
Document
 Explanatory notes–Air Services (Use of Simultaneous Opposite Direction Parallel Runway Operations at Brisbane Airport) Direction (137.43 KB)

[Peetwo]

Dicky King and the Moorabbin Airport quandary?? 

Via Oz Flying: 

Moorabbin Airport Australia's busiest flight training airport for second year in a row

25 September 2024



For the 2024 financial year, Moorabbin Airport was once more the busiest general aviation flight training airport in Australia.

It's also the busiest airport in Victoria, recording 271,864 movements across all aircraft types—accounting for nine per cent of all flight movements in Australia. This is the second year that Moorabbin Airport has taken out the top spot for flight training, up from 237,410 total movements in FY23.
Notably, the airport was the only metropolitan flight training airport to experience growth during the period.

Moorabbin Airport Corporation (MAC) CEO Travis Brown said the growth is testament to MAC’s aviation development strategy, which continues to return results year on year.

“Our continued investment in aviation supports safe and industry-leading general aviation activity. Guided by our safety framework, our focus strongly remains on growing safe and viable aviation activities and investing in quality aviation infrastructure and training facilities," he said.

The results are pleasing and reinforce the aviation development strategy in the 2021 Master Plan, which plans for the development of new and upgraded training sites to accommodate over 1,800 students per year and additional aircraft parking. MAC is committed to nurturing strong relationships with its aviation customers and ensuring their ongoing success. Notably, MAC’s top five flight training operators—CAE, RVAC, Learn to Fly, Avia and Professional Helicopter Services—saw increased growth in their individual movements and continue as long-term tenants.

“We’re pleased to have strong working relationships with industry stakeholders, including CASA, Airservices Australia and our aviation customers from big to small. Our ongoing commitment to improve and expand our Airport facilities ensures the Airport will remain a leader in flight training in Australia,” says Brown.

Airservices Australia’s full list of Australian airport movements can be found on its website.

Who'd of thought? - A Commonwealth owned Secondary Airport that, through General Aviation industry flight training activity, is positively contributing to GDP...   
 
Next Kingston Council in the Airports thread: Ref -  GWEP MKII solutions for GA and secondary airports??

Now let's refer to Kingston Council contribution to the GWEP MKII: https://auntypru.com/wp-content/uploads/...ngston.pdf

Next from some answered and some unanswered Budget Estimates QON...

57. Minister-s meetings with general aviation business on Moorabbin Airport draft master plan .pdf

Senator Bridget McKenzie asked:
Senator McKENZIE: [...] Has she had a meeting with general aviation businesses in Moorabbin airport?

Ms Werner: Not that I am aware of. I'd have to check with her office.

Answer: The Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government met with members of the Moorabbin Airport Chamber of Commerce Inc at Moorabbin Airport.

---

58. Departmental Official responsible for Moorabbin Airport .pdf

Senator Susan McDonald asked:

Senator McDONALD: Who was the responsible department official on Moorabbin? Is it you, Ms Werner?

Ms Werner: No, Senator. This was well before my time, I'm afraid. The responsible departmental official at the time—I'm sorry, I'd have to take that on notice.

Answer: The former Assistant Secretary of the Airports Branch.
Ref:  Dear Senator McKenzie a BRB 'HOW TO' on amending the Airport's Act!! 

---

QON 59:

Senator McKENZIE: Was the department made aware of Kingston City Council sharing legal advice with the minister?
Ms Werner: Yes.
[...]
Senator McKENZIE: Did she seek a meeting? Has she had a meeting with the Kingston City Council?

Ms Werner: Not that I am aware of, but I'd have to check.

Senator McKENZIE: If you could check that would be fantastic

Download question

Answer Unanswered.

---

QON 60:

Senator McKENZIE: Did Minister King meet with the Attorney-General, Mr Dreyfus?

Ms Werner: Not that I'm aware of.

Senator Chisholm: We're happy to take it on notice.

Senator McKENZIE: If you could take on notice the correspondence between the Attorney-General-not on the legality but as a local member and a member for Victoria, because my understanding is he has had meetings with this community.

Download question

Answer Unanswered.

Finally the quandary for our useless miniscule DK?? - From the Impact and mitigation of aircraft noise 20/09 Senate Inquiry public hearing in Hansard and pictures:  

Mr Cincotta : ...I can give one example. With the general aviation airports, as I said in the opening, at an airport such as at Moorabbin it is 500 to 1,000 flyovers a day. That is repetitive circuit flying in one path. If somebody lives in a flight path, where we have had monitors put in place at certain points of the year, the measures have been over 150 to 200 movements above 60 dBA, whereas the NASF guideline is 100. That's twice the level of threshold. On a 10-hour working day, that's the equivalent of one flyover above the threshold every three to four minutes.

When you break it down into plain English that the layperson can understand, you look at that and go, 'How can that be fair? How can that be reasonable?' There's no recourse for people who complain, who are affected in by this in their daily lives, to influence and impact any change. Complaining through the Airservices noise complaints system doesn't achieve that. All they do is respond to the complaint. They don't address the root cause or put pressure back on the airport to change those movements so that the community isn't faced with those exceeding thresholds...

...

---

Senator STERLE: Mr Cincotta, I want to go to your second recommendation, and you have touched on this: 'reducing flight operation times, particularly on weekends and evenings when most people are predominantly home and carrying out outdoor activities'. As someone who lives under a flight path—mine's GA and helicopters, from Jandakot—I couldn't imagine 500 to 1,000. I'll just lay that on the table, because we don't have that. What actually would appease the community? Is it to pack up Moorabbin so that it doesn't operate on weekends? Is it curfews? Or is it to move it out somewhere else? What's the actual request?

Mr Cincotta : One of our CAAA members was from Jandakot, and he's since moved. That tends to happen with people who join our community groups. When they get nowhere in terms of any action, they move. So, I understand and appreciate the flyovers at Jandakot. Going back to Moorabbin, yes, Moorabbin is, on movements, the busiest or second-busiest airport in Australia, behind Tullamarine, and it's well understood. It's a general aviation airport, like Jandakot, and those movements—500 to 1,000 a day—are real. Those numbers don't include the helicopter traffic that also operates at the airport.

So, what do we want? Ideally—and this is separate to the major airports—these general aviation airports that conduct flight training should be relocated to areas that aren't under residential development. When they were first built there wasn't that much residential development around the area. In Moorabbin it was a lot of largely green wedge. But that's not the case now. It's fully populated, fully residential. The recommendation to solve it is to relocate, understanding that that's difficult. Flight operators have invested money in the airport and so forth. So, notwithstanding moving something, if that's not possible—we want to be practical about this—there are other strategies and mitigation that can happen. And there's more flexibility at a general aviation airport compared with the major airports. But there can be flight sharing. There can be reduced time, where they can condense the training to during the day, when people are at work, and maybe have it more open and have less activity on weekends and evenings. So there's the possibility for increased strategies to have that flexibility if relocation is not an option.

Senator STERLE: Yes, that's still a very wide-open response. I appreciate that. But the community understands—and I did do some googling—this is the problem, when airports are built and then we have urbanisation around them. I know that happens all over Australia and we can't get away from that. But I'll narrow it down: would the community accept reduced hours as a fix?

Mr Cincotta : Yes. Absolutely.

Senator STERLE: I wasn't quite sure. You said you'd love to move it out, and I got that, but you did say you've got to work together. You did say that. And it's particularly the weekend—you said in your statement to us that it's at 10 o'clock at night that they're still flying. Is that training?

Mr Cincotta : Yes, that's training. The airport operates the day training, but then every evening there's night training. The hours, during daylight saving, go until 10 pm. For the rest of the year, it's until 9 pm. So, again, when the circuit is full—when there are seven aircraft in the circuit—it's basically a plane flying overhead every two to three minutes. For people not in affected areas, it sounds like that can't be right. But it is. It's a plane every two or three minutes. As one passes, there's a period of respite, and then you hear the next plane approaching. Then there's a crescendo when that plane passes, and then it just continues on. So it is one after the other, continuously, from 8.30 am each morning until 10 pm during daylight saving hours, every day, 365 days a year—only if not affected by weather movements, if there are particularly windy days.

Senator STERLE: Yes, you'd look forward to those windy days! Is that just recently, or has it been going on for decades?

Mr Cincotta : That has been in place—we do have a flight friendly, where on weekends they need to stop operating by 6 pm. That is on Saturdays and Sundays.

Senator STERLE: You have that now?

Mr Cincotta : Yes. That flight friendly has been in place a little while. It just goes to show that there can be flexibility to limit those movements or to reduce the times—

Senator STERLE: Sorry—that's training?

Mr Cincotta : That's training.

Senator STERLE: I wasn't aware. So they've come to that agreement just recently—that has been negotiated between the airport and the communities?

Mr Cincotta : Yes. The flight friendly was set up, actually, before I moved into the area, so it has been effective at least in the last 15 years. On that cap and even the night-time caps, the planes that fly in and out for commercial reasons can still do that at any time—it's 24 hours. But the complaints aren't to do with those airports and that aircraft; it's the flight training and repetitive nature of the circuit training, one after the other, seven to eight planes maxing out a circuit. It's that repetitive training that causes issues...

---

Mr Cincotta : I can add to that in terms of my experience with the Moorabbin Airport CACG. I'm a member of that. We've got a really good relationship with the CACG and the members there and the airport, but the CACG itself is very much just an information-sharing exercise where the airport tells us and the other stakeholders there about what's happening in terms of development—aviation increasing. When noise is brought up as an issue in the community concerns, it gets shut down because effectively anything that will impact the operations of the airport are not listened to. Again, it gets back to there being no regulatory pressure or anything that warrants them taking any action. So it's very difficult, as a community representative, to actually achieve anything because they just don't want to talk about anything that relates to the noise complaints that are coming from the community. Airservices and CASA attend, but it's largely just to be present, to be able to tick the box that they've attended...

MTF...P2 

[Kharon]

But - Who pays?

Anyone who thinks ICAO compliance and audit is without cost – a free service – should probably think again. The nation pays and it is a hefty price; necessary of course but should the 'total' cost ever be disclosed, it would shock. ICAO audits, as with most audits can be of great benefit; as is the notion of 'universal' compliance ensuring the traveling public expectation for a 'standard' of 'safety' which may be relied on.

Every once in while ICAO auditors roll up and do their thing – they also write a 'report'. As the 'public purse' pays for this service and the agencies associated and the public 'service' machinery supporting, it only seems reasonable that the public should see that audit report; after all they did pay and it is 'their' safety.

“False face must hide what the false heart doth know.”

Why must it be kept secret? This is not a matter of national security it is a 'report' on the health of an industry, helpful in refining procedure and intimately associated with efficiency and safety. So why must it be squirreled away. The Canadian report has been 'leaked' and the walls didn't cave in; the only 'panic' seems to be that once again, the bureaucracy have been caught, pants down, exposing that which everyone within the industry knows as fact:-

“Ross Aimer, CEO of California-based Aero Consulting Experts, says a shortage of air traffic controllers and a trend toward off-loading safety responsibilities from government onto industry players remain concerns across the continent.”

Bang on - In a nutshell; succinct and very much reflective of the Australian situation. There is a vast, expensive army employed (by the people) who's sole purpose – in reality – is to ensure ICAO compliance. Alas, an extraordinary amount of money is spent on 'differences' to the ICAO.  Take the time to read through the AMROBA newsletters and evaluate the 'cost' and inefficiency all this ducking and weaving produces.

AMROBA -

The challenge is to discover why so much time and effort is given over to 'differences' and to whose benefit this is. It ain't for the benefit of industry nor the public who depend on it; start there Minister, and please explain. I'm certain the public would love to know the answers..

Toot - toot.

[Peetwo]

WOW! Miniscule Dicky King mentions the "A"-word 3 days in a row??

Via DK's media minions (attributed to Dicky King -  ):

Federal funding now available to regional airports
Regional airports and aerodromes can now apply for a share in $25 million in funding for vital upgrades under Round 4 of the Regional Airports Program.
08 October 2024
Media release

---

Albanese Government takes next steps to reform competition at Sydney Airport
The Albanese Government is reforming the aviation sector, introducing legislation to Parliament today to further reform the allocation of slots at Sydney Airport.
09 October 2024
Media release

---

Newcomers take flight in aviation advisory body
The Australian Government welcomes Mr Rob Walker as the new chair of the General Aviation Advisory Network (GAAN), with Mr Greg Tyrrell also joining the network as a new member.

10 October 2024

Media release

Plus on the GAAN appointments, I note the following from Oz Flying...

Rob Walker takes over GAAN Chair

10 October 2024



Former CASA Executive Manager and current CEO of the Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) Rob Walker has been appointed the new chair of the minister's General Aviation Advisory Network (GAAN).


Greg Tyrrell, Executive Director of the Australian Association for Uncrewed Systems (AAUS) has also been appointed to GAAN.

Minister for Transport, Infrastructure, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King made the announcement today, which comes after the retirement of previous chair Andrew Andersen.

"Their expertise will build on that of the current members to support the GAAN’s role in providing advice to me on matters affecting the general aviation sector," King said.

"The network is also a forum where industry representatives can identify opportunities to work collaboratively to respond to pressures, trends and issues facing the general aviation sector and assist in the development of policy."

Under Andersen, the GAAN produced two strategy papers, which brought the opinions and expertise of the general aviation community before the minister, and in some aspect formed the basis of initiatives in the white paper.

Andersen retired from the GAAN to take up the job as chair of CASA's Aviation Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP).

Leaving the GAAN are UAS expert Dr Reece Clothier and flying school owner Catherine Fitzsimons.

"Dr Clothier continues to play a critical role in national and international forums shaping the regulation of the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems and advanced air mobility," King said, "with Ms Fitzsimons continuing as Chief Pilot at WardAir, a flight training school in Bathurst, New South Wales."

The new members of the GAAN have been appointed for three years.

MTF...P2

[Peetwo]

Dicky King squeaks out Rex PelAir sell off announcement?? - 

Via DK's media minions:

Sale of Pel-Air

Today the administrators for Rex Airlines have advised the sale of Pel-Air, part of the Rex business, to Helicorp Pty Ltd, part of Toll Aviation. 

Pel-Air is the contractor supplying ambulance services to Ambulance Victoria and NSW Ambulance, along with specially-modified aircraft for international and domestic aeromedical transfers. 

This is part of the ongoing administration process and proceeds from the sale will be used by the Rex Group to repay secured debt.

The Commonwealth continues to work closely with the administrators as Rex’s regional aviation business remains in voluntary administration.

We have made clear our commitment to support Regional Aviation in Australia and the ongoing viability of key regional services. 

The Commonwealth continues to guarantee ticket sales throughout the Voluntary Administration and we are pleased that Australians have confidence booking flights as bookings are holding up well.

I encourage passengers to continue to support Rex’s regional operations.

My department continues to meet daily with the administrator and we will provide any relevant updates as the voluntary administration period continues.

A somewhat sad demise for a long running aeromed operator with a checkered history, the story of which will now get lost in the Albo-sleazy (aka Airbus Albo) Red Rat flight upgrades for over 22 occasions dating back to when he was the Minister oversighting aviation...
Via SkyNews Oz:    

Why does any of that not surprise me? 

Remember this? Via:  Albo's historical culpability on destroying an industry? 

Finally remember these excerpts from the Pelair timeline of embuggerance?? 

27 May 2010: The Hon Anthony Albanese MP and former Minister for Infrastructure, Transport & Regional Development  officially opens the REX Australian Airline Pilot Academy. (ref link - #97)  

And then this:

July-Aug 2012: REX Airlines declares political donations of 250K to the ALP; 95.7K to the Nationals; & 40K to the Liberals (ref link - http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-24/ae...le/7959394 & #94)

..Of particular interest was Rex’s $250,000 donation to the federal ALP given the airline was a highly vocal critic of the Labor government.


In 2013 Rex publicly said the ALP was “hellbent” on destroying regional aviation and “along with it pretty much the rest of the economy”.


Mr Xenophon said it appeared to defy reason why Rex would donate heavily to a government it would shortly afterwards describe as “destroying its industry”.


“Perhaps Rex had a case of Stockholm syndrome?” he said.


In 2009 a Rex aeroplane — operated under the group’s Pel-Air brand — ditched into the ocean with six passengers on board, badly injuring one.


A lengthy Australian Transport Safety Board investigation blamed the Pel-Air pilot involved in the crash but failed to mention 57 breaches or “serious deficiencies” at Pel-Air.

Mr Xenophon headed a Senate committee inquiry into that botched investigation, which led to the federal government last month calling on the ATSB to reopen the investigation...

And from @slats11's historical post...  ref: https://auntypru.com/peeler-casa-and-atsb-the-movie/

10. In the later half of 2012, Rex (parent company of PelAir) made several large donations to political parties – Labor, Liberal, and National. Rex has apparently not made such donations before or since. Presumably 2012 was a good year for Rex.

Vague minister, generous airline, Pel-Air issues mount up | Plane Talking

The Albosleazy  payback for such generosity from Rex was his attempt to bury and ignore the excellent report, findings and recommendations of the Senate AAI (PelAir) report:

MTF...P2 

[Sandy Reith]

P2 has assembled the information and comment in that post from the not so distant past which again highlights the dubious politicking by Albanese and by Rex management.

And it should not be forgotten that as Transport Minister in 2009 Mr. Albanese kicked out the ATSB from his portfolio with the pathetic excuse that safety matters shouldn’t be subject to politics. Such is the way of a Minister dodging responsibility in a flagrant denial of the Westminster principle of Ministerial responsibility.

In exactly the same way a Labor Party predecessor Minister Gareth Evans in 1988 pushed away aviation out of his Transport responsibility by creating an independent body, now the much dysfunctional CASA which has 2/3rds wrecked GA, to administer aviation. So much for the democratic concept of the Parliament and Ministers having responsibility for the various arms of government and being directly accountable.

But then Aussies seem enamoured with the puerile idea that all will be solved by appointing yet another independent ‘umpire’ for just about any political or social problem area. Examples abound, Commissioners for just about everything, pointless make work and fellow bureaucrat protectors in the fanciful form of Ombudsman, ICAC and IBACs into the bargain (the latter a futile and legally fraught attempt to graft the Continental method of inquisitorial justice onto our British system). If you call spending $billions of your tax dollars uselessly a bargain. As well as wasting the tax dollars we have thousands of publicly employed people not employed in the productive economy therefore a double drain on the general prosperity of Australia.

[Kharon]

Limited Options.

Sandy - “But then Aussies seem enamored with the puerile idea that all will be solved by appointing yet another independent ‘umpire’ for just about any political or social problem area.”

Point of order Mr Chairman – Not certain that “Aussies' have much say , let alone an 'appetite' for the 'un elected' being masters of their fate. The populace votes for a government – once that government is in operation; there is no further input of any significance as to who gets to execute the stated policy and precious little control of how. Aviation provides a 'classic' example; how long has it been since a Minister (of any stripe) has weighed in, 'directed' and followed through on any 'change' requested by industry? Or, even positively supported a Senate inquiry report? Look back to the Pel-Air debacle; what was it 60 odd 'recommendations' – millions of dollars- Ministerial impact = zero.

IMO, this land is not 'run' by the elected government, it is run by the bureaucrats without let or hindrance by the elected representatives. Ministers eschew all responsibility and follow meekly along behind edicts and whims of the department heads. Can you, for one minute imagine King hauling Spence into the office and 'suggesting' serious changes to the 'direction' and performance of CASA? Unthinkable; its far more likely that Spence would tell the Minister how its got to be, demand full support and get it. No matter how 'bizarre', outlandish or  contrary to industry expertise, opinion or requirements. There are countless examples of exactly this system at work – the 'rice bowl' protection racket rolls along, unchecked, year after year.

But, don't just believe me; do the research, check the facts – then take a look at the industry – the results writ large and clear. Read the Senate inquiry and Estimates pages; all there, faithfully reported on Hansard. Then check to see the last time a Minister actually sat down with industry representatives; a rare event. An even rarer event is one where a Minister actually instructed a department to ring the changes demanded. The results are clearly writ in the demise of a once flourishing industry; right down to training apprentices, all the way up to the current mess domestic regional public transport is mired in. Pathetic, self serving and cowardly are words that spring to mind whenever matters Ministerial are mentioned. - I always look for a bucket before reading; automatic response anticipated.

Toot – toot...

[Peetwo]

MicMac talks a big game on Rex, Ag & the Albo/Greens coalition?? - 

Courtesy APH, via YouTube:

Mr McCORMACK (Riverina) (18:24): Last night, Wagga Wagga City Council put forward a motion, which was passed unanimously, saying that the federal government should nationalise Rex. Rex went into voluntary administration at the end of July. I said from the outset of Rex's financial difficulties that all options need to be on the table. I've raised the possibility of the federal government having an equity stake in Rex to ensure the airline's future. That said, the federal government is not usually in the business of owning airlines, as important as that might be for many people.
The crucial aspect of Rex's turbulence at the moment is the fact that they are the only ones who service many country towns. If not for Rex, those country towns wouldn't be able to get planes into their airports and, therefore, wouldn't be able to get doctors, nurses, vaccines and, most importantly, medication. People in those towns would also then not be able to make it to their capital city medical appointments. But it's more than just health, and we all know that. It's business. It's tourism. It's so many aspects of modern living. That's why regional people need, expect, demand and deserve to have air services. Certainly, for Wagga Wagga, we are the beneficiaries of not only Rex but also QantasLink, as are many other regional places. If Rex is not flying then that just leaves QantasLink as the only airline, and therefore prices go up. There would be no competition, and that would be a huge disadvantage for people who call the regions home.

When I was the Deputy Prime Minister and we had the global pandemic I was proud of the assistance that I provided to not only Rex Airlines but every airline in Australia—certainly in Rex's case it was around $60 million of support—because I knew that planes in the air meant jobs on the ground. Labor often criticised me and yelled across the chamber during question time, 'You're the minister for Rex.' Well, I took that as a badge of honour, because in the rest of the world 26 national carriers, large airlines the size of, say, Virgin, went bankrupt during COVID-19. They're no longer operating. They're no longer flying.

I well remember talking about aviation to somebody who would know, and that is Warren Truss, the former member for Wide Bay, the former transport minister, the former Deputy Prime Minister, the former Nationals leader. Warren told me what a volatile industry aviation is—and he was right, like he was about everything he set his mind to. He was one of the finest ministers I've ever seen. He was somebody who read every single line of every single piece of legislation that was ever put before him. He knew and he understood aviation.

I will say—and this might come as a surprise to those opposite—that so too does the current Prime Minister, the member for Grayndler. I can well remember taking him into my confidence when I wanted to discuss with him matters of aviation importance, and on a confidential basis we talked about what the then opposition might agree to and what they might disagree with on matters of aviation and transport generally. They were good meetings. They were successful meetings. I respect his view, just like I respect that at the moment—and hopefully in the future—he is doing the right thing by Rex. I know the government is underwriting the tickets. I know they're underwriting the risk. I know they're underwriting regional express services for regional people. The government must continue to do this while Ernst & Young works through the process with potential buyers. It's a difficult process. I understand that. Getting a buyer for an airline that is experiencing tough times is hard.

Wagga Wagga needs Rex. We've got the maintenance hangar at Wagga Wagga Airport. Those operations in Wagga Wagga alone employ around 170 to 180 people. It contributes $12 million to the local economy. It is too big an airline to fail.

It was a folly—in hindsight, of course—that Rex took on the capital city to capital city routes. The Sydney to Melbourne air route is one of the busiest in the world, and to take on Virgin and Qantas on that route in hindsight was a mistake. Rex was making reasonable money. They were in the black year after year. They won many international awards for being the regional airline of choice—not only a regional airline that Australia obviously was very proud of but a globally recognised airline. I would urge and encourage any country commuter who is flying, if they have a choice, to fly Rex, because, if you don't use something, often you lose something—and we simply cannot afford to lose Rex.

It is in voluntary administration. I appreciate the government is doing what it needs to at the moment. I would implore the government—through the Prime Minister, who, as I said, understands aviation, and through the transport minister—to do all it can to keep Rex planes in the air, because it's too important not to. Wagga Wagga City Council's letter will obviously be landing on the Prime Minister's, if not the transport minister's, desk—if not both—and I will certainly be following that up as well. I commend council for taking an interest in this matter. Rest assured that I've been on the case and I will continue to do just that.

This is a grievance debate: grievances are obviously issues of concern. I am concerned, very much, about the parlous state of regional Australia at the moment under this government. You only have to ask any irrigation farmer—I appreciate I have the member for Nicholls behind me, and I'm sure he would appreciate this better than most—just how difficult it is under this Labor government for our farmers, who grow the food that feeds our nation and who grow the fibre that puts the clothes on people's backs, and many others besides. They are in there buying water, distorting the water market. We need that water flowing down those irrigation channels to ensure that our farmers can be the best they are in the world.
I think our farmers sometimes get a bad rap. I think our farmers are sometimes not seen as the great environmental stewards that they are. Our farmers are the best environmentalists in the world—make no mistake about that. We should thank our farmers every time we tuck our knees under the table to eat. Three times a day, every day—breakfast, lunch and dinner—we should be saying to our farmers, 'Thank you for the job that you do.' Often at the vagaries of the weather, they work for 12 months and earn absolutely nothing. They need a better government. Hopefully, after the next election, they will have a better government who will treat their needs far more diligently and carefully and with far more considered action than this Labor government.

There is something that I would really hate to see and that would be a real grievance for me. I will always say that the very worst Labor member is going to always be better than the very best Greens political party member.

Honourable members interjecting—

Mr McCORMACK: I'm sure I will have a chorus of support about that. What I really don't want to see is a Labor-Greens, Albanese-Bandt, alliance after the next election. It just does my head in, because we saw just yesterday the all-too-cosy relationship between the Greens political party and Labor. The Greens have caved in on the housing. What was the cosy little deal, the little arrangement, they may have made? We'll find out. But the Greens stand for upsetting the rhythm of the traditions of this nation, turning society on its head—that's what the Greens stand for. If they were just an environmental party, it would be all well and good, but they're not. They want to change Australia. They want to rip down the flag. They want to end Australia Day. They want to ban horseracing. They stand for everything that the Nationals do not stand for. I tell you what: if Labor has this cosy relationship with them after the next election, God help Australia.

Dick King interview on release of YSSY slot hoarding audit report...
 

Government cracking down on Slot Hoarding at Sydney Airport

"Slot hoarding" is when dominant airlines hold onto excess time windows at airports to muscle out competition and ultimately mean consumers pay more for a ticket.

Major airlines including Qantas and Virgin were accused of doing this at Sydney Airport, so much so the federal government launched an audit into the matter.

Guest: Catherine King, Transport and Infrastructure Minister
Producer: Madeleine Hanger

Link: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/r...ent_shared

PATRICIA KARVELAS: So you’ve released this report this morning. What did you commission and what have you found about what was happening at Sydney Airport?
CATHERINE KING: We commissioned the first audit into how those slots, those landing and take-off slots out of Sydney Airport, are being managed and what’s actually happening with them. And so while the report found that everything the airlines are doing are within the rules, it said that basically they tactically make decisions about where they’re cancelling flights and how they’re managing those. That really- isn’t really in the spirit of what the slots and demand management system at Sydney Airport is about. So we’ve got a bill before the Senate today that we are hoping very much gets passed. We need the support of the Opposition and the Greens. And this audit really backs in that we need to reform the slots out of Sydney airport, and it backs in the bill. So we’re hoping to get that passed today.
PATRICIA KARVELAS: That’s really interesting. So you say they’re operating within the rules but it must mean the rules are broken.
CATHERINE KING: Well, what it means is the rules are- the rules are being used in a way-
PATRICIA KARVELAS: [Interrupts] Gamed.
CATHERINE KING: Gamed, yeah. I guess that’s the right word. So what we’ve done through the ledge that’s in the Senate today is really crack down on that. We’ve done- change who the slot manager is. That’s out for tender at the moment. Bring the decision making into my department and to me directly as the decision maker, and then really substantially increase the penalties for slot hoarding or slot behaviour. So that’s before the Senate today and we’re hoping to get it through. But really, this is the first time we’ve done an audit, so we’ve got lots more transparency. There’s been some improvements, but again I think that tactical use of the slots is really the thing that we want to try and crack down on.
PATRICIA KARVELAS: And do we need rolling audits on this sort of thing?
CATHERINE KING: We’ll do more. So part of what we did with the Aviation White Paper is said we will regularly audit the slots and how that’s actually working. And if you think about the levers that the Commonwealth’s got in terms of competition, you know, the two things I think Rod Sims even on this program talked about is that you’ve got the way Sydney Basin operates and these slots, acting on that, and then also air services agreements. And we’ve actually increased the amount of air services agreements we’ve got as well substantially with another, I think, seven airlines, just recently announced like Canada, Vietnam, Turkey - obviously flying out of Melbourne - which is great news as well. So doing all of that really does help with competition.
PATRICIA KARVELAS: You took the process of who arranges the airport slots to tender. Can you be sure there won’t be a repeat of a perceived conflict of interest after Qantas and Virgin were majority owners of the company, which was previously in charge? Obviously people looked at that and thought, that doesn’t look right.
CATHERINE KING: No, and I think they- so the way the tender has been done is that there needs to be a lot more management of potential conflicts of interest, both actual and perceived. And that’s part of the tender process, the challenge we’ve got in this space, it’s a really specialist- not everyone can do it. And so you’ve got to know and understand how airports schedule their flights. You’ve got to know quite a lot. So we’ll see what comes out through that tender process. But I think a much stronger way of managing both the actual and perceived conflicts is going to be important as we go forward to decide who the person is or the company is.
PATRICIA KARVELAS: You’d hope that doing an audit like this would increase competition by giving new entrants perhaps better access to coveted landing spots, but we’ve seen Bonza go under this year, Rex. What are the prospects of a third player?
CATHERINE KING: Yeah. Look, aviation is hard. Like, it is just hard. It’s a marginal business. Like, you know, you see the profits and you think that’s incredible. But they really- it is really hard. It’s very expensive. The planes are expensive. Staffing is expensive. Fuel is probably one of the major costs. So it’s just hard. And as much as, you know, Australia is a fantastic market, we’re just a bit smaller than some of the other markets as well. So it is challenging. So my job is to try and keep that competitive tension between our two big Australian airlines and try and also – as we’ve got Rex in administration as well – absolutely do everything we can to make sure that regional connectivity is happening. And that’s really the reforms the Government’s been working our way through, plus obviously through the Rex administration...
The full audit report can be viewed at www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/aviation/airports/reforms-sydney-airport-demand-management-framework.

MTF...P2

[Peetwo]

Dicky King/ Betsy go MIA on Supp Estimates QON?? - 

I note that on the RRAT Supp Estimates webpage (see - HERE) that recently the QON for Supp Estimates have begun to be published. However on referral to the 5 pages of QON listed (IE 230 QON) all are addressed to the Agriculture Dept and none to DK/Betsy's Dept - WTD?

Hmm...could this be a sign that DK/Betsy have already racked their cues in advance of the upcoming election...      

MTF...P2 

PS: By the way I note that the HoR committee inquiry into nuclear power generation in Australia now has over 500 submissions published. Good to see that free and frank open debate on a significant issue, like future nuclear energy generation in Australia, is still possible underneath the Can'tberra bubble and within the halls of Federal Parliament...