The Board of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) meets six times per calendar year to fulfil its obligations under Section 53 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 to decide the objectives, strategies and policies to be followed by CASA; and to ensure that CASA performs its functions in a proper, efficient and effective manner.
The CASA Board met in Canberra on 24 August 2022, with the primary focus being the approval of the 2021-22 Financial Statements and Annual Performance Statement. All Commonwealth entities are required to prepare annual financial statements in accordance with the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act) or other individual legislation that established particular entities. At the end of each reporting period, Commonwealth entities must also prepare an annual report for presentation to the Parliament by the entity’s responsible Minister. The annual report must include, among other matters, the annual performance statements for the entity which must comply with any requirements of the PGPA Rule. The annual performance statements address the non-financial performance of an entity and must provide information about the entity’s performance in achieving its purposes.
Pleasingly, CASA received an unmodified auditor’s report for the 2021-22 Financial Statements from the Commonwealth auditor, the Australian National Audit Office, and the Board approved the accounts. The Annual Performance Statement was also approved by the Board. Of the 30 performance statement targets during the reporting period, CASA achieved 24 targets and six were not achieved.
CASA Board meetings follow a theme-based agenda focusing on organisational matters and operational matters that affect the aviation industry.
The organisational matters centre around CASA’s corporate governance, financial position, the status of major projects, cyber security issues, organisational culture, WH&S and workforce planning. The Board received a briefing from the Chair of the recently established People and Culture Sub-Committee and discussed matters relevant to CASA’s workforce.
In terms of operational matters, the Board was briefed on accident and incident trends and performance against a range of metrics relating to Australia’s State Safety Program. The Board also considered performance against the scheduled surveillance activity as well as the National Oversight Plan more generally. Successes and challenges relating to the General Aviation Workplan were discussed, alongside the planned program of regulatory developments that we refer to as the Regulatory Pipeline. It is another important document that will be published on the CASA website to inform industry of our current priorities.
A briefing was delivered by CASA’s Principal Medical Officer, Dr Kate Manderson around the management of aviation personnel with mental health issues and potential positive approaches to addressing this important health issue. This is an issue the Board will continue to monitor closely.
This meeting also allowed the Board to settle its Strategic Risks for 2022-23 and develop an associated Risk Appetite Statement to define the Board’s risk tolerance levels for each risk.
Outside the Board meeting, a strategy session was held with Board members and the CASA Executive team on 23 August. Following the Board meeting, the Board visited the Canberra Airport and held discussions with CEO Stephen Byron, as well as receiving an airside tour of the facilities.
Board members also met with The Australian Aviation Associations Forum (TAAAF) on 23 August to discuss current issues affecting the aviation community in Australia.
The next meeting of the CASA Board will be held in Perth on 19 October 2022.