ABSTRACT
Aviation's importance as a transport mode within Australia is second only to road transport (BIE, 1994) and boasts an output which is as large as both rail and water transport combined. In 1992 the air transport industry employed 36,000 people with an additional 7,800 people employed in industries supplying services to the industry, (e.g airports and navigation)
It is an industry which is primarily involved in the movement of passengers, but with an important role in moving high value, time sensitive freight; a sector which has been growing at approximately 20% per annum. In terms of domestic travel, air represents only 35% of all interstate trips (BIE, 1994), yet it accounts for just under 100% of international trips. (BTR, 1993; ABS, 1993)
The monopolistic position of aviation as the mode of international passenger travel assures a high political profile for aviation. This is the case in most developed industrial nations, especially in terms of medium and long range trips, but particularly so for Australia because of its size and distance from other countries. International trade is highly dependent on air travel because of this reason, as is domestic interstate business which is '...a relatively intensive user of domestic passenger airline services.' (BIE, 1994)
This chapter highlights some of the political issues behind aviation safety in Australia whilst attempting to avoid becoming distracted by micropolitical issues which may be linked indirectly with safety. As such, the priority of aviation in Australian political life is considered, as is the role of the regulator; a subject of vociferous debate within Australia over the last few years.
