Sandy Macdonald (NSW, National Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

The Civil Aviation Legislation Amendment (Mutual Recognition with New Zealand) Bill 2005 [2006] amends the Civil Aviation Act 1988 in order to implement the mutual recognition of aviation related certification between Australia and New Zealand. This bill takes into account the 2004 recommendations of the majority report of the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee.

Mutual recognition is restricted to air operators certificates issued by the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand. Through regulation, mutual recognition will be limited to aircraft of more than 30 seats or a maximum take-off weight of greater than 15,000 kilograms. Air operators certificates issued under the mutual recognition scheme will be known as AOCs with ANZA—Australian and New Zealand Aviation—privileges.

The mutual recognition initiative is a major step forward in the trans-Tasman aviation market. It marks a historic development in the aviation relationship and is consistent with commitments between the Australian and New Zealand governments. Mutual recognition will provide administrative savings to airlines, and these savings may be passed on to passengers. Most importantly, there will be no effect on the safety of aircraft operations in either Australia or New Zealand by its introduction.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.