[Peetwo]

Estimates & drone inquiry update...

RRAT Budget Estimates report released:  

Budget Estimates 2017-2018 (May 2017)

View report - (PDF 250KB)

Aviation and Airports Division

2.21      The committee began by pursuing questions regarding pedestrian and cycling access to Brisbane Airport. Senators expressed an interest in ensuring that employees have safe access to the workplace via these lanes.[37]

2.22      The committee was advised that the Aviation and Airports Division is working closely with the ATSB and CASA to address any concerns about the use of drones. The committee was particularly interested in the use of drones in the vicinity of other aircraft and airports, the level of training provided to recreational drone pilots, and a prospective safety review of drones to be conducted by CASA.[38]

2.23      The committee inquired into the third runway being constructed at Tullamarine Airport and the extension of an existing runway. Officers of the department informed the committee that under the current master plan, 'everything will be in place around 2022' which includes the third runway running east-west and the extension of the current east-west runway.[39]

2.24      The committee also sought information on the construction of Western City Airport. The committee was advised of the tender process and prequalification details that would allow small companies to tender for aspects of the construction. Comparisons were drawn to the Wellcamp airport development and construction.[40]

Australian National Audit Office

2.25      The committee called the ANAO to estimates assist with its inquiries into the performance of Airservices Australia (Airservices). The ANAO conducted three pieces of audit work in relation to Airservices with its most recent Audit Report No. 46 of 2016–17 concerning the Conduct of the OneSKY Tender. The audits were undertaken following correspondence from the committee in the 44th Parliament raising concerns about the performance of Airservices. Immediately following the appearance of the ANAO, the committee called Airservices. The committee then called the ANAO back to clarify evidence before returning to Airservices.

Airservices Australia

2.26      The committee focused on the most recent OneSKY tender process and the ANAO's observations about Airservices' evaluation process which resulted in a higher price outcome.[41] In particular, the committee sought information about the ANAO's audit conclusions that the 'evaluation of tendered prices against the cost criterion was not conducted in a robust and transparent manner'.[42] According to the ANAO, it was 'not clearly evident that the successful tenderer offered the best value for money'.[43]

2.27      The committee pursued these matters with Airservices. It examined the phases of the evaluation process and the five criteria used by the tender evaluation working group to evaluate the proposals.[44] It considered conflict of interest issues and questioned Airservices about the role of the International Centre for Complex Project Management (ICCPM), the subject of a previous performance audit by the ANAO.[45]

2.28      Other matters raised with Airservices by the committee included the 38 international air traffic controllers residing in Australia who are currently on 457 or other visas. The committee sought information on the impact of recent visa arrangements on those personnel and was informed that Airservices was working with them individually.
[46] The committee questioned Airservices about aircraft noise monitoring as well as community consultation processes undertaken regarding aircraft noise including the regular airport and noise forums.[47]

Civil Aviation Safety Authority

2.29      The committee focused its attention on the safety of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) and amendments to part 101 of the Civil Aviation and Safety Regulations 1998 which commenced in September 2016.[48] The committee was informed that since September 2016, the CASA received 5,428 notifications from small commercial operators intending to undertake RPAS operations.

2.30      The committee sought an update on the review of aviation safety regulations in relation to the operations of drones announced by the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport on 10 October 2016. It was informed that the review was yet to start as the terms of reference were still being developed.[49]

2.31      The committee pursued questions about the safety of recreational drone use and sought information on the education program undertaken by CASA to target recreational users.[50]

2.32      Questions were asked by the committee about public safety zones around airports. CASA informed the committee that it is engaged in the National Airports Safeguarding Framework public safety zone discussions.[51]

Australian Transport Safety Bureau

2.33      The committee sought information on recent investigations, including in relation to the Pel-Air VH‑NGA accident off Norfolk Island in 2009. The committee was informed that the investigation will be concluded and the report released at the end of September 2017.[52]

2.34      Other questions related to the ATSB's A safety analysis of remotely piloted aerial systems report and the dangers of flying drones in the vicinity of other aircraft. Inquiries were also made into the investigation of the Essendon airport crash. The committee was advised that investigations are ongoing.[53]

Office of Transport Security

2.35      The committee sought information on the requirements needed to qualify for an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) or a Maritime Security Identification Card (MSIC). The committee was informed of a number of qualifying requirements, particularly regarding previous criminal offences and the lack of discretionary powers to prevent those with a criminal record from obtaining a licence.[54]

2.36      The committee inquired into security designations at airports. The committee expressed concerns about the security risks posed by flags-of-convenience shipping and sought information on the lower threshold required to obtain a maritime crew visa (MCV) rather than a MSIC. It requested information and expressed concern over different agencies regulating the two qualifications.[55]

2.37      The committee was informed about new procedures at airports regarding electronic devices in carry-on luggage and additional screening at domestic and transiting airports.[56]

For those interested Hansard for last Friday's drone inquiry hearing: 16 Jun 2017 Melbourne, VIC (HTML & PDF)

CHAIR: Tell us all about that. You can come out swinging if you want to. I understand you are employed by Air Services Australia—they are good mates of ours! Let's get that out of the way. We had Senate estimates two weeks ago, and CASA was there. CASA's leadership have this view—I am going to be really careful and bite my tongue, here—along the lines of: bird strikes are a problem but it takes a lot of birds to give us a problem. They really did not coat themselves in any glory, in my humble opinion—in fact, my opinion is not humble; it is straight out there. Tell us all about what happened last week and similar events, because there is this view out there of 'she'll be right; don't worry about it.'

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CHAIR: Thank you. I will go to Senator Back because of the firefighting aspect, but I just want to say this first. This committee is absolutely aware of the importance of RPAS for our nation—of everything that you have mentioned. But I want to put something in your minds, because you probably do not sit back and think, 'I will read Senate estimates Hansard because I am bored and I will find a spark there.' The new executive director of CASA, Mr Carmody, sat in front of us two weeks ago and tried to insult this committee, that we should not be worried about drones because we have not had a strike so far, and what is the big deal. Those are my words; you can check it out. I have no faith in him and he needs to get off his shiny backside with his high pay and start listening to people like you. This committee will not take a backward step. If he wants to roll up his sleeves and have a box, I will too! While CASA is full of some fantastically hardworking and committed people, I have no faith in the top end of that organisation's view of the world. I have got that off my chest now. Mr Carmody is going to hear more from us anyway, so do not worry. It will be reported back to him. I am sure he will be listening. He knows how to get hold of me. Do you get the impression I am not impressed with Mr Carmody?

Senator O'SULLIVAN: He can get on to you but not get on with you!

Gold, pure gold Sterlo..


MTF...P2