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CASA Media Release - Tuesday, 20 February 2001
CASA hits back at the critics

Every year in Australia twice as many people die in small boat accidents than in aviation crashes.

Rarely does the public see front page headlines slamming the safety of the boating industry.

Yet regularly the public is assailed with headlines warning of growing problems in aviation safety.

This is despite the hard facts showing it is twice as safe to fly on a scheduled flight in Australia as it is in North America or Europe.

So why the headlines? Why doesn't the media put air safety in true perspective?

Mick Toller, Director of Aviation Safety at the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, will counter the headlines during a major speech to the National Press Club in Canberra tomorrow.

The speech is titled - CASA: Scandalously Competent.

Mr Toller will set out the real record of aviation safety in Australia and paint a bright picture for the future.

He will tell the media why they are wrong to talk about self-regulation in the aviation industry.

And he will hit back at the radio talkback 'shock jocks' who call for CASA's downfall every time an aviation safety issue arises.

A transcript of the speech will be available on CASA's web site, along with audio visual excerpts.

WHAT: CASA's Director Mick Toller addresses National Press Club

DATE: Wednesday 21 February 2001

TIME: 12.30pm

20 February 2001

Media contact
Peter Gibson
ph 02 6217 1015
mobile 0419 296 446
Ref: MR0108