NSW Greens lead Senate candidate Lee Rhiannon says the Federal
Minister for Transport and Grayndler MP Anthony Albanese is attempting
to dupe Sydney residents who live under the flight path by announcing
an Aviation Noise Ombudsman without the independence or powers
necessary to effectively tackle aircraft noise (SMH, page 11, today).
Ms Rhiannon is also concerned the announcement may be in breach of
caretaker arrangements during the federal election.
“The Member for Grayndler has delivered residents a toothless tiger
who, even with the best intentions, will have little power to manage
the significant aircraft noise problems that plague Inner West
residents,” Ms Rhiannon said.
“Mr Albanese has sidestepped recommendations of a 2010 Senate Inquiry
report for a fully independent Aviation Noise Ombudsman who reports
direct to Parliament and the Minister.
“The Aviation Noise Ombudsman will sit within and be appointed by the
aviation regulator Airservices Australia. This has been criticised by
a Senate inquiry for creating a conflict of interest.
“Airservices Australia is a government owned corporation, largely
funded by the aviation industry, with board members appointed by Mr
Albanese. A 2010 Senate inquiry noted Airservices Australia’s
favouring of the aviation industry over local noise affected
communities,” Ms Rhiannon said.
Ms Rhiannon has questioned whether Mr Albanese’s announcement on
Tuesday is in breach of caretaker rules issued by the Department of
Prime Minister and Cabinet. The new Aviation Noise Ombudsman will
take up his position on 1 September, nine days after the August 21
election.
Mr Albanese announced the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman initiative in
December 2009 as part of the National Aviation White Paper. It has
taken 7 months to fill the spot, providing him with a positive
announcement for his Grayndler electorate during the campaign period.
“Like a squirrel collecting acorns, the member for Grayndler Anthony
Albanese has stored up this ‘good news’ story to benefit himself
during tough times,” Ms Rhiannon said.
“By announcing the appointment during the campaign period Mr Albanese
has either breached the guidelines governing the caretaker period or,
at best, used the timing of this announcement to gain unfair political
advantage.
“Mr Albanese is tying to sidestep the issue of whether caretaker
guidelines, which forbid appointments being made during the election
period, having been broken by claiming it was out of his hands because
Airservices Australia made the appointment. This is disingenuous
because Airservices Australia is also bound by the same caretaker
guidelines and Mr Albanese knows that.
Greens candidate for Grayndler Sam Byrne said, “Minister Albanese has
once again shown how his main concern is looking after the interests
of the Sydney Airport Corporation, not residents suffering aircraft
noise. This announcement should have been kept in the bottom drawer
until after the election.
“Independence and adequate powers are critical for this position. The
Ombudsman should report direct to Parliament, not to Airservices Board
Members who are appointed by Mr Albanese,” Mr Byrne said.
Contact: Lee Rhiannon 0427 861 568, Sam Byrne 0408 231 509
Background paper available on request