Iconic Australian businessman and aviation advocate Dick Smith used a visit to the Riverina to call for an extensive overhaul to the country’s aviation industry.
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Mr Smith called out the government for introducing regulation after regulation in the name of safety without considering the costs piling up on flight training schools.
“We're here today because successive National Party ministers who have been responsible for transport and aviation have allowed the destruction of the general aviation industry in this country,” Mr Smith, speaking at a forum in Wagga, said.
“Every couple of months, more rules come out that add to costs and, if CASA has its way, it will send that (Wagga) Rex flight school into bankruptcy.”
He also made a visit to Albury for the official opening of Rotor Solutions Australia’s new headquarters.
Mr Smith said he was deeply concerned about the future of Australia’s aviation industry in light of the rising pressure on flight training schools.
“So we’re now in a position where Qantas and Virgin are demanding 457 visas to get pilots from overseas – that is outrageous – we’re now in a position where it’s only going to be the children of the very wealthy who are going to be able to learn to fly,” he said.
We’re now in a position where it’s only going to be the children of the very wealthy who are going to be able to learn to fly
- Dick Smith
Mr Smith also called out new Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack for failing to honour a bipartisan agreement to review aviation legislation.
“I’m calling on the new minister to go ahead with the Barnaby Joyce-Anthony Albanese agreement to change the act so it allows costs to be looked at – it’s just common sense,” he said.
But Mr McCormack said he was not willing to rush change at the cost of safety.
“I’ve had a number of discussions with Dick Smith, and I appreciate that the industry wants to see changes made as soon as possible, but what I won’t do for anyone is rush policy change, especially when there might be safety implications,” Mr McCormack said.
“It’s all well and good to bind me to the Barnaby Joyce agreement, but the fact is Barnaby is not transport minister anymore.”
