David Forsyth, author of the Aviation Safety Regulation Review (ASRR) report, has assessed reform progress made since he presented the report to the Abbott government nearly two years ago, finding there is still a lot of work to be done.
In December 2014, then Minister for Infratructure and Regional Development Warren Truss responded saying the government accepted 20 of the recommendations. Since then, the aviation community has been critical of the pace of reform.
Forsyth has since examined reform progress, and has offered the following assessment.
"Regarding how many of the ASRR recommendations have been implemented, I can advise my score card is as follows.
"Assessing the information tabled by Minister Truss in parliament in February, showing implementation status as at 31 December 2015, I assessed the following status.
"CASA: 29% implemented, 15% partially implemented and 56% not done.
"DEPT: 20% implemented, 60% partially implemented and 20% not done.
"ATSB: 33% implemented, 33% partially implemented and 33% not done.
"This is being is benevolent as possible. Other may have a harder view. A number of those regarded as implemented will require ongoing monitoring to ensure change remains in place and/or that the culture has changed."
In February, The Australian Aviation Associations Forum (TAAAF) called for David Forsyth to be sent back in to conduct an official review of the reform progress.