Update: Dick Smith/AOPA Oz v McCormack.
First a link for BM ABC radio (Riverina, NSW) telephone interview 02/05/18:
https://soundcloud.com/abcnsw/benjamin-m...-McCormack
Benjamin Morgan, Executive Director – Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) of Australia on concerns from the aviation industry speaking to Anne Delaney ABC Riverina
Next via Oz Flying:
And via the Oz today:
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First a link for BM ABC radio (Riverina, NSW) telephone interview 02/05/18:
https://soundcloud.com/abcnsw/benjamin-m...-McCormack
Benjamin Morgan, Executive Director – Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) of Australia on concerns from the aviation industry speaking to Anne Delaney ABC Riverina
Next via Oz Flying:
Quote:AOPA, SAAA and AMROBA are the three founding members of the Australian General Aviation Alliance (AGAA) (composite image Diamond Aircraft / Steve Hitchen)
AGAA calls for Summit to propose Act Amendment
1 May 2018
The Australian General Aviation Alliance (AGAA) will hold a summit of all general aviation associations to propose amendments to the Civil Aviation Act.
Scheduled for Wagga Wagga 4-6 June this year, the summit comes in the wake of a meeting between members of AGAA and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack held yesterday.
AOPA Executive Director Ben Morgan told Australian Flying the he felt a change to the Act to remove the priority of safety over all else was possible, but that the minister had no stated position at this time.
"The Minister recognised our industry’s need for change and acknowledged the efforts of AOPA Australia member, Dick Smith, in building broader awareness on the issue," Morgan said in an announcement last night.
"With respect to the proposed changes, the Minister has called for general aviation consensus, to assist the government in this process.
The purpose of the AGAA summit is to develop such a consensus, and present the minister with a clear picture of what is needed.
Former former Managing Director of Regional Express Geoff Breust has agreed to chair the summit.
"The Minister has invited our associations back to Canberra for a follow-up meeting and we are looking forward to working with the Government to achieve this important reform for all of general aviation," Morgan said further.
Activist Dick Smith also called for a change to the Civil Aviation Act in a speech delivered to around 100 people in Wagga Wagga last week.
Read more at http://www.australianflying.com.au/lates...k8cmPTW.99
And via the Oz today:
Quote:Summit to agree on proposal
12:00amANNABEL HEPWORTH
Australia’s general aviation sector is ramping up its reform campaign, planning a summit next month aimed at developing a consensus proposal for changes to the Civil Aviation Act.
The summit will be chaired by former Regional Express managing director Geoff Breust.
The move comes as the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association prepares to meet Labor’s Anthony Albanese next week.
This week, AOPA executive director Benjamin Morgan and president Marc De Stoop and Aviation Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Business Association director Ken Cannane met Transport Minister Michael McCormack to discuss its concerns.
Mr Morgan said the group wanted to be in a position where there was support to propose the changes. “The past two decades the process of reform for aviation has been plagued by delay, government reviews, and we are seeking to bring an end to that delay to bring the government a clear consensus so that we may quickly transition to a new act to support growth opportunity.”
Invitations to the summit were sent out yesterday to Mr McCormack and Mr Albanese.
Earlier this year, businessman and former aviation safety chairman Dick Smith revealed Barnaby Joyce, then transport minister, and Mr Albanese had indicated support for amendments to the Civil Aviation Act.
These would have required the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to operate in a manner that recognised the need for “an efficient and sustainable Australian aviation industry”.
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