Fed: Gov't ignoring parliamentary committees

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2006
Fed: Gov't ignoring parliamentary committees

By Peter Veness

CANBERRA, Dec 12 AAP - The government has failed to respond to a three-year-old parliamentary
report recommending a major reorganisation of regional aviation policy.

Transport Minister Mark Vaile admitted this week the government had still not responded
to the 28 recommendations of Regional Aviation and Island Services: Making Ends Meet,
more than three years after the report was handed down

Independent MP Peter Andren exposed the delay.

He said the failure of Mr Vaile to answer the recommendations pointed to a wider problem
with the parliamentary process.

"It's a real insult to those individuals and organisations who take the time and trouble
to travel from all points on the Australian compass to attend hearings when their input
is disregarded and ignored," Mr Andren told AAP.

In responding to the delay, Mr Vaile said the recommendations were wide ranging.

"The recommendations ... cover a wide range of issues requiring a whole of government response.

"The government is currently considering the 28 recommendations contained in the report
and is working towards tabling its response as soon as possible," Mr Vaile said.

But Mr Andren said the committee process had become little more than a place for government
backbenchers to lobby for promotion.

"The committees have become nothing more than a holding paddock for would-be parliamentary
secretaries."

The report recommended a string of economic incentives for regional communities and
the airlines that served them.

"The recommendations are aimed at providing greater financial support to improvements
to aviation and alternative sea services to certain communities," the committee said in
its report of November 2003.

"Other recommendations are aimed at improving the business environment for regional
airlines and building on the capacity of operators.

"This will enable regional aviation services to be a more attractive transport option
for business and private citizens needing to use regional aviation services."

AAP pv/sb/jm/de

KEYWORD: AVIATION

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