[Peetwo]

Democracy? Why bother.

It’s a sad state of affairs when a couple of ‘honest’ hard working Senators get told to piss off – again by the ‘crats.  CASA do it regularly, it’s the default setting for ATSB and now the ASA seem to be untouchable.  We could save a shed load by getting shot of the Senate; or, conversely we could ensure the Senate has some real teeth and horsepower.  For some reason the safety watchdog outfits seem to be immune from censure or criticism and despite some serious questions and implications, feel able to ignore it all.  Business as usual.  It’s a long drawn out goalless draw, the public servant defenders never getting beyond their 25 yard line, concentrating on defence only; the Senate crew mounting attack after attack only to be beaten by a solid line of defenders, not even a penalty shootout to look forward to, which would at least bring the farce to an end.

An attack is mounted:-

The Senate committee’s chairman, the Liberals’ Bill Heffernan, and the deputy chair, Labor’s Glenn Sterle, have publicly called for the government to commit to not making an appointment to the CEO’s position until the report is tabled and considered, though making clear this is not to make any implication against any individual.

A signed confession:-

Mr Harfield was Airservices executive general manager for ¬future service delivery from July 2013 to August 2015 in which role, he says on his LinkedIn profile, he had “accountability for the leadership, acquisition and delivery” of OneSKY’’ and was its “Senior Responsible Owner”.

The defence swings into action and the referee ignores the foul.  No penalty awarded. 

A spokeswoman for Mr Chester declined the opportunity to provide the assurances sought by Senator Heffernan and Senator Sterle.

Stalemate.  Perhaps the cheerleaders at half time will provide some value for money.

Toot toot.  

The Empire of the RAeS strikes back - Up yours Heff, Sterle & Nick  

Hot off the Yaffa Press c/o Hitch:

Airservices Australia CEO Jason Harfield. (Airservices Australia)


Jason Harfield appointed Airservices CEO
09 Mar 2016

The Airservices Australia board announced today that it has appointed acting Chief Executive Officer Jason Harfield to the position full-time.

Harfield has been acting CEO since August 2015, when his predecessor Margaret Staib resigned citing health reasons.

“The Board reviewed an extensive field of candidates and concluded that Mr Harfield offered the right blend of experience, skill and drive to lead the organisation,” Airservices Australia Chair, Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret’d) said.

Harfield has over 25 years experience in the aviation industry.

UFB!  Well no actually, totally duckin' believable

Guess that means the ANAO audit will also be a white-wash, still I do suggest that Harf-wit gets his ducks in a row prior to next Estimates because he can't rely on Beaker providing top-cover beyond June this year :

QON 193 - Go-around incident of 22 December 2015


Senator XENOPHON: Perhaps you could take that on notice in relation to the first report. I go now to the issue of the LAHSO operations. There is a report being undertaken in respect of the 5 July incident 2015. Do you have an approximate time line of when that report will be completed?



Mr Dolan: We expect that report will be complete by July this year.



Senator XENOPHON: I ask you to take on notice information I received from constituents today about go-arounds including a touch-and-go, one that occurred on the 14 December 2013, and I will refer you to the Hansard.



Mr Dolan: We have been listening to those previous exchanges.



Senator XENOPHON: And if you could also provide information relating to the incident of 22 December 2015, that JQ 710 flight. Again, I am not being critical of the pilots at all. The passengers said that they appeared to be very close calls. Could you let us know (a) whether you were aware of it and (b) whether it is being investigated.



Mr Dolan: We are not currently aware of it. They are the sorts of incidents that if there had been a serious concern we would have been aware of it and paid attention to it.



Senator XENOPHON: In relation to that first incident, where the passenger described it as a Top Gun manoeuvre to accelerate and climb sharply on 14 December 2013, if an aircraft touches the runway, as this passenger reported, and needs to take off, is that the sort of thing you would investigate?



Mr Dolan: It would depend on the nature of the report that was given to us. It is at the extreme end of a go-around. As I say, it is the sort of thing that would have got our attention, which is why am surprised that it did not.



Senator XENOPHON: Can you please take on notice whether you were aware of these incidents and if you were not aware of them whether you are able to make inquiries through Air Services or CASA in respect to them because these matters have been brought to my attention.



Mr Dolan: Yes.

Adelaide TCU


Timeline

1. I understand from your previous submission to this Committee that the Adelaide TCU consolidation into Melbourne is "proposed to commence from 2017". (Airservices Australia, Terminal Control Unit Integration Initiative, Submission to the RRAT Committee, August 2015, pg 4)

2. Is Airservices Australia on schedule to deliver this outcome.

3. If not, why not.


Business Case

4. At Budget Estimates last year, you released a copy of the business case.

5. Do you stand by all financial assumptions which underpin this case, particularly for efficiencies related to staffing, supervision and co-location for technology and hardware. (Airservices Australia, 2015 BE, QoN 107)

6. If not, will you now provide an updated business case – on notice if necessary.


Safety Case

7. I refer to the Air Services Australia Terminal Control Unit Integration submission to this committee which states that "prior to implementation, the CASA will need to approve the safety case which includes documented evidence that safety impacts have been adequately considered and addressed". (Airservices Australia, Terminal Control Unit Integration Initiative, Submission to the RRAT Committee, August 2015, Appendix B)

8. Can you advise the Committee of the current status of the safety case relating to the relocation of air traffic controllers from Adelaide to Melbourne.

9. Has it been finalised.

10. Has it been presented to CASA.

11. Has CASA evaluated and/or approved the proposal.

12. If it has not been finalised, when will it be finalised.

13. Will the Safety Case be made public. If not, why not.


Additional processes

14. How much has been spent on the TCU integration project so far. Is it running on budget or over budget.

15. Is the Airservices Australia Board required to formally approve funding for the project.

16. Has that occurred. If not, when will it occur.

17. Is this project required to go before the Public Works Committee.

18. Has this occurred. If not, when will it occur.


TCU Controllers – Adelaide

19. How many Air Traffic Controllers are in Adelaide - including the TCU and both towers.

20. How many Air Traffic Controllers will remain after the transition.
21.Does this mean there will be job losses of highly skilled jobs in Adelaide following the transition.
22. What consultation have you had with the local member for Hindmarsh, Mr Matt Williams, regarding these job losses.


Career Opportunities

23. I refer to your submission to this Committee which states that "career development opportunities for air traffic controllers will be improved" (Airservices Australia, Terminal Control Unit Integration Initiative, Submission to the RRAT Committee, August 2015, pg 10)

24. I also refer to the statement that "all controllers who wish to remain at their current location will be accommodated – no one will lose their job". (Airservices Australia, Terminal Control Unit Integration Initiative, Submission to the RRAT Committee, August 2015, pg 10)

25. What career opportunities will be available for those air traffic controllers who choose to remain in Adelaide, if the majority of operations are moving to Melbourne.

26. Will they be eligible for further career diversification or promotion if they choose to remain in Adelaide.  

Sir A on Harfwit as CEO - "Safe trough feeding for all"
MTF..P2