Christopher Back (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That:

(1)

The following matter be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 1 June 2010:       An assessment of the effectiveness of Airservices Australia’s management of aircraft noise under its responsibilities to provide air traffic services and protect the environment from the effects associated with the operation of aircraft for which it has legislative jurisdiction.

(2)

In undertaking this inquiry, the committee shall consider whether Airservices Australia:

(a)

has conducted an effective, open and informed public consultation strategy with communities affected by aircraft noise;

(b)

engages with industry and business stakeholders in an open, informed and reasonable way;

(c)

has adequate triggers for public consultation under legislation and whether procedures used by Airservices Australia are compliant with these requirements;

(d)

is accountable, as a government-owned corporation, for the conduct of its noise management strategy;

(e)

has pursued and established equitable noise-sharing arrangements in meeting its responsibilities to provide air traffic services and to protect the environment from the effects associated with aircraft for which it is responsible;

(f)

requires a binding Community Consultation Charter to assist it in consulting fully and openly with communities affected by aircraft noise; and

(g)

any other related matter.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—The government opposes this motion by Senator Back because not only is it poorly conceived but in addition Airservices Australia has a legal requirement to place safety as its most important consideration and any assessment of Airservices performance with regard to managing aircraft noise needs to be included within this context.

The primacy of safety is established in Airservices legislation and has always been the key expectation held by members of the public when they fly. Subject to safety being the most important consideration, Airservices has a second legal obligation to protect the environment from the impact of aviation as far as is practicable. This responsibility is undertaken in conjunction with requirements above the legislation such as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. However, there is no requirement for Airservices to have or implement a formalised national noise management strategy as the motion assumes nor does any such strategy exist.

Traditionally and consistent with legislation and ministerial requirements, Airservices provides a national noise complaints service and works through established airport community forums to provide information on aircraft noise issues at a local level. Also as a guiding principle Airservices, wherever possible, does attempt to minimise aircraft noise impacts and distribute them equitably. Consultation by the aviation industry and government agencies is being addressed in the aviation white paper, which is scheduled to be released before the end of this year. This matter and the needs of the community are therefore already being addressed at the national level by this government.

Question agreed to.

Kerry O'Brien (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—The government opposes this motion. As has just been said we recognise that the support of the Greens for the coalition motion gives it a majority. We will not be seeking to divide.