Julian Simmonds (Ryan, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I will endeavour to be brief. I rise to speak in support of the government's move to better regulate and reinforce standards for the drone industry. This substantive legislation, the Civil Aviation (Unmanned Aircraft Levy) Bill 2020 and the related bill, is crucial for retaining confidence in what is a very quickly growing industry. Given the rate at which unmanned aerial vehicles are being used, it is time measures were put in place to ensure safety and compliance so that stakeholders who utilise drones directly and those who are indirectly affected, like other pilots, can be assured that best practice is being observed. We know that unmanned aerial vehicles are being further utilised in commercial settings and things like search and rescue, environmental management and agriculture, to name just a few, but there are many and varied uses. In addition to those who own drones for recreational purposes, commercial drone traffic in our skies will only increase, which, if left unchecked, will add increasing potential for harm to the public and to infrastructure.

In conjunction with these regulations is a funding and registration proposal to help CASA keep up with the increasingly large drone sector created as a result of their popularity commercially and recreationally. As the regulatory body responsible, CASA has seen an increased number of aviation accidents, interference around airports and a blatant disregard for aviation rules by some drone operators, although of course we know that the majority are doing the right thing and will seek to do the right thing when this training and registration process is in place. Many of these incidents come down to what is basically a lack of education and training by those in control of drones, and this measure will help remedy that.

The funding agreement between CASA and the Commonwealth will facilitate this expanded role in managing the new requirements that will be put in place. The cost will be attributed to the consumer, ranging from zero to $300, depending on the drone and the circumstances. This registration will enforce training requirements that will facilitate best practice and procedure for the operators. This should in turn see the number of aviation incidents decrease as operators will be made aware of their responsibilities while operating drones. These responsibilities of course already exist; it's just a matter of education and training for those who are operating drones. I acknowledge the burdens that this new requirement will be for businesses and operators who utilise drones for their commercial functions. But we must mitigate the risk of incidents such as we saw at Gatwick Airport, which shut down in 2018, occurring at Australian airports.

All of that being said, there is a qualification that I want to offer. I unreservedly support this substantive legislation, but I do have reservations about our once-great recreational and general aviation sectors in Australia. I'm a passionate pilot, as no doubt you know, and I could talk flying all day, every day. I track planes from my back deck on the app, as many Australians do. I go to Brisbane Airport with my young son and watch, through the fence, the planes take off and land. And when I fly by myself in a Cessna 172 around Moreton Bay, I reckon that is just about the closest to peace that you can find on earth and in this life. So, put aside COVID for just a second. Australia has the stable weather of sun and blue skies, we have vast tracts of flat land suitable for take-off and landing, and we have vast distances. Australia should be a recreational or general aviation pilot's dream location in this world.

But as we discuss yet another piece of regulation in the sector—and don't get me wrong; again, I support the legislation we are discussing today and acknowledge its merits—I want to reflect on how recreational and general aviation are in danger of being lost like a needle in a haystack under a burden of ever-growing regulation. I know it isn't all CASA's fault. I get that; I get that there are a lot of factors at play. The world has changed since the glory years of flight, and pining for the good old days of aviation won't make it come about, won't make it so. But I know that young Australians are still passionate about aviation. They have that passion in them. It is just a matter of having the circumstances that allow that to be fostered.

I reflect on my own journey in learning to fly, and it leads me to have a lot of sympathy for those who say that CASA is quick to regulate and slow to consult. I have a lot of sympathy for those who say that CASA is bureaucratic when you seek advice, and that when you ask a question three times they're likely to give you three different answers. Of course, they have an important job to do and safety should be paramount, but a regulator also has to have some care and responsibility for fostering the success of the industry that it regulates. A balance must be achieved. Flight cannot be risk-free; it isn't inherently risk-free. All pilots accept this and all pilots—good pilots, as the vast, vast majority are—bear a personal responsibility for the safety of themselves, their passengers and the planes. Of course, they should have the tools, the training and the regulations in place to achieve safety, but it sometimes feels like CASA thinks it must mandate enough regulation that even an inattentive monkey could fly safely. I don't think that's actually their job. The reality of that approach is that flight schools, the general aviation sector and recreational pilots spend more time and money on fulfilling regulation than can ever be justified in the pursuit of flying as a passion, as opposed to commercial purposes.

I note also that the arrangements in this new legislation will start with a $0 fee in recognition of COVID. Prohibitive costs borne from complying with the ever-growing regulations are a real problem for the industry, particularly for recreational pilots. I think this no-cost approach, or low-cost approach, should not only be continued going forward but should be expanded to other aspects of CASA regulation.

I could go on, but I've been told to keep it brief and I will. I'll simply conclude with this: I love flying. I absolutely love it, as you can tell, but even for someone as passionate as I am, and with the means that I have at my disposal—which are not inconsiderable to the average Australian—it was amazingly bureaucratic, time consuming and enormously costly to become a recreational pilot. I want Australians of any age to find it easier and cheaper to embrace their love of flying. That's how recreational aviation and general aviation will survive, when we get Australians who are passionate about flying and we give them the ability to get involved in it. This legislation is good as far as regulation goes, and I am pleased to support it. But, more importantly, my sincere hope is that going forward we will find a way to reform CASA, to reduce regulation and costs, and to get Australia and Australians flying again.

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