Advanced Search

Statement of Expectations for the Board of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for the Period 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2015

Subscribe to a Global-Regulation Premium Membership Today!

Key Benefits:

Subscribe Now for only USD$40 per month.
Statement of Expectations
For the Board of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority
For the Period 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2015
 
This Statement of Expectations (SOE) outlines in a formal and public way, my expectations concerning the operations and performance of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2015.  This Statement of Expectations serves as a notice of strategic direction to CASA under section 12A of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (the Act) and commences on 1 July 2013.
The Australian Government expects the Board to help position CASA to meet current and emerging challenges in aviation safety, by operating as a world leading aviation safety regulator, backed by a workforce with the requisite skills and capabilities to maintain a high level of aviation safety. 
As the Board of CASA, I expect that you:
·         will ensure CASA acts in accordance with the Act and the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 (CAC Act) as well as other relevant legislation and legal instruments;
·         will give a particular focus to the governance of CASA and its performance against the goals identified in the Corporate Plan including improved safety outcomes, with the Director of Aviation Safety discharging the responsibility for regulatory decision making; and
·         will ensure that I and the Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure and Transport (the Department) are kept fully informed of CASA’s actions in relation to the initiatives and activities stated below, and alerted to events or issues that may impact on the operations of CASA, including through the provision of timely quarterly reports of progress against the Corporate Plan.
 
My expectations are that CASA will:
1.                  perform its functions in a manner that continues to focus on aviation safety as the highest priority, consistent with Government policy.
 
2.                  undertake effective and appropriate stakeholder engagement with the community, industry and Government in the further development and implementation of significant changes to the regulation of civil aviation safety, including continuing to strengthen industry awareness of its safety obligations and the provision of relevant education programs.
 
3.                  in conjunction with the Department, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), Airservices Australia and the Department of Defence as appropriate, continue to develop and implement policies, programs and other initiatives  to facilitate aviation safety, including:
a)    the development and implementation of an air traffic management (ATM) regulatory plan which outlines CASA’s proposed future ATM standards;
b)    continuing its strong commitment to completing the regulatory reform program in conjunction with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel (OPC);
c)    maintaining a strategic workforce plan that addresses CASA’s future recruitment, training and skills requirements;
d)    continuing to implement the Government’s policy objectives in the Australian Airspace Policy Statement; and
e)    managing the commitment to cap aviation regulatory service fees (subject to adjustments in the consumer price index) until at least 2015.
 
4.                  work with the Department in the preparation of the next long term funding strategy for CASA for consideration in the 2014-15 Portfolio Budget Statements to provide ongoing financial stability for CASA and examining opportunities for reducing the cost of regulation on regional and general aviation.
 
5.                  continue to adhere to the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding with the ATSB and provide advice to me about significant issues arising from the regular Executive meetings held between the Director of Aviation Safety and the Chief Commissioner.
 
6.                  work closely with the ATSB and the Department to ensure that arrangements are in place for the appropriate sharing and use of safety information by the ATSB and CASA and that these arrangements are transparent to the aviation industry and consistent with a strong reporting culture.
 
7.                  continue to work closely with the Department and other Australian Government agencies, including the ATSB and Airservices Australia to deliver integrated and comprehensive safety regulatory advice to Government and industry.
 
8.                  continue to strengthen international engagement through:
a)    the establishment of appropriate mutual recognition arrangements;
b)    support of the Government’s aviation safety agenda in the Asia/Pacific region including initiatives such as the Indonesian Transport Safety Assistance Package; and
c)    commitment to the Memorandum of Understanding between CASA, the Department and Airservices Australia, regarding the management of Australia’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) responsibilities.
 
9.                  continue to support the maintenance of Australia’s State Safety Program including the appropriate implementation of Safety Management Systems.
 
10.              adhere to a set of values and a code of conduct that maintain high standards of professionalism, service, probity, reporting, accountability and transparency, consistent with the Government’s aim of excellence in the public sector.
 
 
 
ANTHONY ALBANESE
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
12 April 2013