The Liberal and Nationals Government has today passed the Civil Aviation Amendment Bill to ensure the economic and cost impacts on aircraft operators are considered when the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) develop aviation safety standards.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Bill is designed to support a regulatory environment that continues to maintain safety as the highest priority without unnecessarily restricting innovation and growth.
“This amendment is one element of the Liberals and Nationals Government’s support of aviation which also includes the new Regional Airports Program, the Women in Aviation initiative, continuation of the Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program and the increase to the student Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) loan limit,” Mr McCormack said.
“The Government’s $100 million Regional Airports Program is today opening for applications, providing funding assistance to owners of regional airports to undertake access and safety works. The works range from runway re-surfacing to safety works such as fencing and runway lighting.
“The popular Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program is also open for applications – part of the $28.3 million announced last year for remote airstrips.
“Under the Government’s Women in Aviation Initiative, encouraging more women to pursue careers across all aspects of the sector, we will be providing $4 million in funding over four years to support some of these great programs to encourage our future female aviators.
“To help meet the demand for pilots over the next decade, the combined HELP loan limit for eligible students undertaking aviation courses from 1 January 2020 will increase to $152,700 from $100,000.
“This will allow students to defer aviation course tuition fees that lead to a Commercial Pilot Licence qualification with relevant ratings required for entry into a career in the aviation industry.
“Aviation continues to evolve but remains an essential ingredient to the economic success of this nation, and the Liberals and Nationals Government is committed to ensuring its aviation policies continue to help sustain a strong and viable Australian aviation industry.”
“I also acknowledge the bipartisan support on the amendment by the Labor party and its ongoing support on aviation safety matters,” Mr McCormack said.
