Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator McDonald for her question. She personally knows well the challenges of those large distances and also the need to have efficient aviation transport to overcome those and support those who live far away from our major centres. I also welcome a question that goes to the real challenges and issues that face Australians out there in the real world. The Liberal-National government does recognise that, too often, changes have been made through the CASA regime that have imposed unnecessary costs with little or no safety benefit but that have come at a great cost to the aviation sector itself. That's why we have progressed changes to the CASA act through the Civil Aviation Amendment Bill that was passed through this place. What that will in effect do is elevate the consideration of such costs from a guideline or minister's statement of expectations to the legislation itself. We are doing that with the intention to ensure that CASA, who make these standards and regulations, are held accountable to the principles that we set. I am sure that Senator McDonald, especially in her role as Chair of the rural and regional affairs and transport committee, will help make sure that there is accountability there and support of general aviation businesses in the sector.

That none of these changes will compromise safety remains the government's absolute commitment to prioritise a safe industry but also ensure it is one that is vibrant and resilient and one that supports Australians—particularly regional Australians, who require and rely on the services to do business, to go about their jobs and to get to and from important appointments, particularly relating to their health. This is a very important sector for our country and for the environment that we live in, and we have a strong commitment to make sure that general aviation in Australia continues to thrive, grow and support all regional Australians.