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The Government has decided to
adopt the National Airspace System (NAS) as the model for
reform of Australian airspace, the Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Transport and Regional Services, John Anderson,
announced today.
The model was developed by
aviator and businessman, Mr Dick Smith, and Qantas. The NAS
proposal was selected following an examination by the
Special Aviation Reform Group (ARG) which comprised a panel
of industry leaders.
"I am pleased to accept the
recommendations of the Aviation Reform Group and adopt NAS,"
Mr Anderson said.
"This model is based on the
airspace model used in the world's leading aviation nation,
the United States. A safety case will be required to be
developed for NAS, and the existing processes will continue
to be followed in finalising the safety case. The
implementation of NAS will mean that Australian airspace
will be harmonised with ICAO's airspace classifications.
"NAS has the potential to
reduce costs for the aviation industry and the fare-paying
passengers. I must pay tribute to Mr Dick Smith and Qantas
for developing this proposal. I would also like to thank the
members of the ARG for completing the report within such a
tight timeframe.
"Safety will be paramount in
the development of NAS. It is vital that the mistakes of the
past airspace reform attempts are not repeated. In
particular, the aviation industry must be kept informed and
involved with appropriate education programmes developed
regarding the implementation of the system.
The ARG recommended:
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(i) the National Airspace System (NAS) be selected as
the preferred model for future airspace reform in
Australia, subject to the development and the Civil
Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) endorsement of a
comprehensive implementation safety case, specifying an
appropriate timeframe for all necessary industry
communication and education programmes;
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(ii) the ARG establish an Implementation Group to assist
it in developing the NAS implementation process;
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(iii) as an input to the Implementation Group's work,
the Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics undertake
a more comprehensive cost benefit study of the NAS plan
to identify more clearly the net benefits to be gained
from its implementation; and
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(iv) work be immediately set in train for the
establishment of an Airspace Directorate, separate from
CASA or a corporatised Airservices Australia, to
progress future airspace reform.
"These recommendations also
signal another step towards the corporatisation of
Airservices Australia," Mr Anderson said.
"My intention is to proceed
towards the contestability of tower and rescue and fire
fighting services. To complement this step, I intend to
establish also the new Airspace Directorate to oversight the
airspace reform process."
The members of the ARG are Mr Dick Smith AO, Mr John Forsyth
(Chairman, Airservices Australia), Mr Ted Anson AM
(Chairman, Civil Aviation Safety Authority) and Air Marshal
Angus Houston (Chief of Air Force). They will now be joined
by Mr Ken Matthews, Secretary of the Department of Transport
and Regional Services, who will chair the ARG.
Media Contacts
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Paul Chamberlin ( Minister Anderson's Office ) |
02 6277 7680 / 0419 233 989 |
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