Chapter 1
Introduction
Conduct of the inquiry
1.1
On 29 May 2008 the committee resolved to hold an inquiry under Standing
Order 25(2)(b) to consider the administration of the Civil Aviation Safety
Authority. Standing Order 25(2)(b) in part states:
The committees shall inquire into and report upon ... the
performance of departments and agencies allocated to them.
1.2
The committee advertised the inquiry in The Australian on 4 June 2008. During the inquiry the committee received 61 submissions, including 16
supplementary submissions. Contributions were made by peak bodies within the
aviation industry, former employees of CASA, and a number of private citizens.
A list of submissions received by the committee is included in Appendix 1 to
this report.
1.3
The committee held hearings on 2 and 3 July 2008 in Canberra. The committee heard evidence from a number of witnesses including a list of the
witnesses who appeared before the committee is included as Appendix 2.
1.4
On 9 July 2008 the committee lodged an interim report with the Senate.
Background
1.5
The committee has a longstanding interest in the administration of CASA.
Work on an inquiry into the administration of CASA was commenced by a
predecessor of this committee during the 39th Parliament. This work
continued into the 40th Parliament and the committee concluded its
inquiry by reporting its findings in the context of the report of its standing
inquiry into annual reports in September 2004.
1.6
During successive Senate estimates hearings, the committee has inquired
into CASA's administration, particularly in relation to:
- implementation of CASA's Regulatory Reform Program;
- CASA's audit, compliance and enforcement policy;
- the restructure of CASA and the redeployment of staff;
- the perception of CASA amongst industry participants and CASA's
relationship with the aviation industry leadership and management within CASA; and
- CASA's implementation of cost-recovery measures.
1.7
During the 2008-09 Budget Estimates hearings the committee noted the
limited availability of CASA's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Bruce Byron to
attend those hearings. and indicated that it would explore options for further
examining CASA's administration at a time when Mr Byron was available.
Acknowledgements
The committee appreciates the time and work of all those who
provided both written and oral submissions to the inquiry – particularly in
view of the initially short time frame. Their work has assisted the committee
considerably in its inquiry.
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