I note that a group of Australian aviation peak industry bodies have formed a new body designed to provide unified responses to Government about operational issues.  Called the Australian Aviation Associations Forum, this group consists of a number of very diverse groups representing sectors such as agricultural operators, recreational pilots, engineering organizations and airline operators.

The concept for such a body is not new and the formation of such a group has been talked about for years.  In the past, industry consultation about aviation regulatory matters has largely been facilitated by CASA through bodies such as the Aviation Safety Forum, the CASA Heavy Industry Meeting and the Standards Consultative Committee.  Whilst these are useful in providing responses to matters in CASA’s jurisdiction, they did not provide a means to response to other government initiatives which affect the aviation industry.

Chris Manning, the former Qantas Chief Pilot is the Chair of the new body; a curious appointment by any measure.  Whilst Mr. Manning has influential contacts, his appointment or election is interesting in that he would appear to have little affinity or contemporary knowledge of the operational issues affecting the majority of his constituents. 

He is reported to have said that the Australian aviation industry culture is one where “no one agrees on anything and everyone believes that there’s an ulterior motive for everything.”  One remedy suggested is that the Group would be a “Chatham House rule forum”.  This concept is laudable but in my experience, Mr. Manning should not bet the farm on the Forum immediately adopting values of solidarity or confidentiality.

Notwithstanding, the Forum is a good idea and if carefully managed by Mr. Manning and the other office bearers, may offer a useful consolidated view to Government.  It is certainly tiresome and resource intensive for Government to have to deal with as many as six or eight groups about the same issue. 

More significantly, this Forum may promote synergies between the peak industry bodies and even promote more cooperation and less scepticism.  If this could occur, the whole aviation industry and the consumers of aviation services would benefit.  I wish the Forum all the best.