[Peetwo]

6D announces new CASA board member & 3P SOE -

Via 6D_NFI_minscule media minion today... :

New appointment to strengthen safety authority

Ms Cheryl Cartwright will join the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Board to further enhance the governance of Australia's aviation safety regulatory agency.
28 March

media release

[*]Cheryl Cartwright appointed to CASA Board commencing 17 April 2017
[*]Appointment strengthens government engagement and governance experience

Ms Cheryl Cartwright will join the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Board to further enhance the governance of Australia's aviation safety regulatory agency.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester welcomed Ms Cartwright's appointment and said her membership would bring strong governance experience to the Board.

“Ms Cartwright has ably demonstrated her skills throughout her time as CEO of the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association,” Mr Chester said.

“Ms Cartwright has been in that role for more than a decade, and she now brings her considerable government engagement, strategic planning and valuable communications experience to the CASA Board.

“The appointment of Ms Cartwright is fully consistent with CASA's governing legislation which stresses the importance of an appropriate balance of professional expertise on the Board and will complement the aviation experience of current Board members.”

---

[*]

3–Ps sets direction for Australia's aviation safety body

The Australian Government has issued a new Statement of Expectations (SOE) for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), with the direction that regulatory activity be pragmatic, practical and proportional.

28 March

media release

..Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the new SOE provided clear direction for the Board and staff of CASA on the Government's expectations and priorities for aviation safety over the next two years.

“This Statement sets out in an open and formal way some important parameters for CASA's regulatory approach, including implementing its regulatory philosophy,” Mr Chester said.

“CASA has an extremely important role to play in maintaining Australia's enviable safety record, having regard to risk; CASA must also take into account the economic and cost impact on the aviation industry.

“A pragmatic, practical and proportional approach to regulatory activity is intended to help support aviation growth in this country, particularly in the general aviation sector.”

[*]

And both MR's summarised by Oz Aviation:

Minister Chester issues new statement of expectations for CASA
March 28, 2017 by australianaviation.com.au

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has a new Statement of Expectations. (CASA)

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester has issued a fresh Statement of Expectations (SOE) for the board of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

The new SOE will apply from March 27 2017 to June 30 2019 and sets out CASA’s governance, regulatory approach, key aviation activities and stakeholder engagement functions while ensuring that aviation safety remained the organisation’s highest priority.

Chester said CASA should be “pragmatic, practical and proportional” in its dealings.

“This Statement sets out in an open and formal way some important parameters for CASA’s regulatory approach, including implementing its regulatory philosophy,” Chester said in a statement on Tuesday.

“CASA has an extremely important role to play in maintaining Australia’s enviable safety record, having regard to risk; CASA must also take into account the economic and cost impact on the aviation industry.

“A pragmatic, practical and proportional approach to regulatory activity is intended to help support aviation growth in this country, particularly in the general aviation sector.”

The new SOE immediately replaces the former SOE issued by then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss in April 2015 that was due to expire on June 30 2017.

The SOE, which can be read in full on the federal government’s register of legislation website, said CASA was consulted in finalising the SOE.

It said CASA should maintain high standards of professionalism, service, probity, reporting, accountability and transparency, consistent with the provisions of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act) as well as other relevant legislation.

“I expect CASA to operate as a world leading aviation safety regulator, backed by a workforce with the requisite skills and capabilities,” the SOE said.

In terms of regulatory approach, the SOE sets out the Minister’s expectation that CASA would focus on aviation safety as the highest priority while considering the “economic and cost impact on individuals, businesses and the community in the development and finalisation of new or amended regulatory changes”.

Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) chief executive Mike Higgins said the SOE was an “excellent starting point for future engagement with CASA at all levels”.

“It reinforces and builds on the great work already undertaken by CASA’s acting CEO Shane Carmody,” Higgins said in the Minister’s statement on Tuesday.

Among CASA’s key aviation initiatives included in the SOE was the changes taking place with air traffic services as the OneSky air traffic management system was developed, as well as Airservices’ new operating model.

“I’ve also asked CASA to focus effort on enhancing the level of controlled airspace, including at major regional airports,” Chester said.

“I look forward to CASA making strong progress against this Statement and encourage the aviation industry to provide cooperative input to the important work that will be progressed over the next few years.”

For stakeholder engagement, the SOE said it expected CASA to “undertake effective and ongoing engagement with the aviation industry to create a collaborative relationship between CASA and industry based on a foundation of mutual understanding and respect”.

Separately, Chester announced on Tuesday Cheryl Cartwright had been appointed to the CASA board, effective April 17 2017 for a three-year term.

Cartwright has been chief executive of Australian Pipelines and Gas Association for about 12 years before stepping down in February 2017.

CASA chairman Jeff Boyd welcomed Cartwright’s appointment.

“She will bring a wealth of corporate experience, which will complement the skill sets of existing board members and I certainly look forward to working with her,” Boyd said in a statement.

[*]

6D "..said the new SOE provided clear direction for the Board and staff of CASA on the Government's expectations and priorities for aviation safety over the next two years..."

Yes but as Sandy points out, the SOE is not a Ministerial direction and therefore leaves itself open to be bureaucratically obfuscated for the next two years. Basically put the SOE is another case of 6D on a self-serving 4P mission (4P - a pointless, posturing, political, propaganda mission - ).     

The new board appointment is perhaps of more interest - does this mean there maybe an outgoing board member as well?

Maybe a coincidence but I note that the following DoIRD document was recently tabled: Additional estimates 2016-17—Letters of advice—Infrastructure and Regional Development portfolio


Referencing 'vacancies to be filled' page five line 3 - "Civil Aviation Safety Authority - 1 x Deputy Chair".

So is Ms Cartwright also going to be appointed the 'Deputy Chair' of the CASA Board...


MTF...P2  


Ps Reference Section 12 of the CAA:

12  Directions

            (1)  The Minister may give the Board written directions as to the performance of its functions or the exercise of its powers.

         (1A)  Without limiting subsection (1), a direction under that subsection may require the Board to consult:

                    (a)  in the manner specified by the Minister; and

                    (b)  about matters specified by the Minister; and

                    ©  with bodies and organisations specified by the Minister.

            (2)  Directions as to the performance of its regulatory function shall be only of a general nature.

            (4)  The Board must comply with a direction given under subsection (1).

            (5)  This section does not affect the application of section 22 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (which deals with the application of government policy to corporate Commonwealth entities) in relation to CASA.

12A  Minister may give the Board notices about its strategic direction etc.

            (1)  The Minister may notify the Board in writing of the Minister’s views on the following matters:

                    (a)  the appropriate strategic direction for CASA;

                    (b)  the manner in which CASA should perform its functions.

         (1A)  Subsection (1) does not permit the Minister to notify views in relation to a particular case or a particular holder of a civil aviation authorisation.

            (2)  In performing its functions, the Board must act in accordance with notices given under subsection (1).

12B  Minister may direct CASA to give documents and information to nominee

            (1)  The Minister may direct CASA to give to a specified ministerial nominee any documents or information relating to CASA’s operations that the nominee requests.

            (2)  CASA must comply with the direction.

            (3)  In this section:

ministerial nominee means a person whose responsibilities or duties include advising the Minister about CASA’s performance and strategies.

[*]

Perhaps it is time that section 12 of the Civil Aviation Act was revisited in order to give more meat, with sanctions, if it is found that CASA have chosen to O&O Ministerial directions. The trouble is this NFI miniscule has proven again and again to be subservient to the bureaucrats to which he supposedly oversees...