CASA Media Release - Tuesday, 19 November 2002
Reforms to CASA improve safety and scrutiny
Reforms to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s enforcement powers will improve air safety while delivering greater fairness and accountability.
CASA has welcomed the changes to enforcement powers announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, John Anderson.
CASA’s Director of Aviation Safety, Mick Toller, says the authority will be better equipped to ensure the aviation industry continues to meet Australia’s high aviation standards.
Mr Toller says at the same time CASA will be subject to increased judicial scrutiny by the Federal Court.
“These reforms are good news for the travelling public, good news for the aviation industry and good news for CASA,” Mr Toller says.
“The travelling public can be reassured that CASA will have a wider range of sanctions to apply in circumstances where air safety standards are not being met by air operators and maintenance organisations, large and small.
“People in the aviation industry who wish to dispute CASA’s actions will have quicker and more effective access to judicial review.
“Importantly, CASA will have continued and enhanced direction and support from the Federal Transport Minister.”
Mr Toller says CASA’s new enforcement sanctions will include a demerit points system and enforceable voluntary undertakings.
“These new enforcement tools will provide CASA with more options when taking action over breaches of the aviation safety regulations. No longer will CASA be saddled with simply the big stick or the feather duster.
“Greater flexibility in enforcement recognises the increasing maturity of the aviation industry, where many air operators and maintenance organisations want and need advice and assistance from CASA. In these cases this makes the threat of tougher action inappropriate.
“The new role of the Federal Court in reviewing some of CASA’s enforcement decisions is also very welcome.
“CASA will still have the power to immediately ground an airline or close a maintenance organisation if there is an imminent threat to safety, but CASA will need to obtain an injunction from the Federal Court to confirm the decision within five days.
In cases where there is no immediate threat to safety, an appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal against a CASA enforcement action will automatically trigger a stay of that action. This is in line with the system that operates in the United States.
“These changes leave CASA with adequate powers to protect safety, while providing people in the aviation industry with additional procedural fairness and protection.”
Media contact
Peter Gibson
mobile 0419 296 446
Ref: MR0263