CASA Director of Aviation Safety Mark Skidmore has issued a ten-point regulatory philosophy in line with one of the key recommendations of the Forsyth Report.
Released today, the philosophy contains principles that CASA says will be reflected in the way policies and practices are implemented within the aviation community.
“We now have a clear and concise set of principles that will guide all our actions,” Skidmore said.
“It is vitally important every CASA person understands these principles, how they apply to the work they do and the need to ensure they adhere to them in practice.
“These principles will guide and direct the making and implementation of regulations, safety education and support, the delivery of regulatory services, operational surveillance and enforcement, as well as our consultation and communications.
“Where necessary, CASA will develop new policies and procedures to give meaningful effect to our regulatory philosophy.
“I am committed to ensuring these principles make a real, positive and lasting difference to the way CASA operates and way we interact with the aviation community."
The philosophy is in response to Recommendation 14 of the Forysth Report, which stated "The Civil Aviation Safety Authority changes its regulatory philosophy and, together with industry, builds an effective collaborative relationship on a foundation of mutual understanding and respect."
The ten basic principles are:
- CASA is committed to maintaining the trust and respect of the aviation community
- Mindful of the primacy of air safety, CASA takes account of all relevant considerations, including cost
- CASA takes risk-based approaches to regulatory action and decision-making
- CASA performs its functions consistently with Australia's international obligations
- CASA approaches its regulatory functions consultatively and collaboratively
- CASA communicates fully and meaningfully with all relevant stakeholders
- CASA fairly balances the need for consistency with the need for flexibility
- CASA embraces and employs rational 'just culture' principles in its regulatory and related actions
- CASA demonstrates proportionality and discretion in regulatory decision-making and exercises its powers in accordance with the principles of procedural fairness and natural justice
- CASA has a legitimate, but limited, role in pursuing punitive action for breaches of the civil aviation legislation
“I understand some people may be sceptical at first about how or whether these principles will make a practical change to the way we carry out our regulatory responsibilities," Skidmore said.
“To regain trust, we must earn that trust. We look forward to the opportunity to do just that, and I invite the aviation community to use CASA’s regulatory philosophy as a benchmark against which our performance is measured."
The ten principles including explanatory text is available on the CASA website.