Safety in our aviation sector is of the utmost priority to the Australian Government. 

Australians rightly expect that when they travel, every layer of the system is working to keep them safe. 

Today, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released four preliminary reports from ongoing transport safety investigations into aircraft coordination and conflict events that occurred at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport earlier this year. 

These preliminary reports outline the evidence gathered, investigation activities undertaken to date and areas for further investigation. 

These reports do not draw conclusions about cause or contributing factors, and it is important that we let the ATSB complete its work. At the conclusion of these investigations, final reports will be released for all events.

The Government expects Airservices Australia to cooperate fully with these investigations and act promptly on the issues identified. 

The Director of Aviation Safety, Civil Aviation Safety Authority CEO Pip Spence, has advised me that she considers Australia’s aviation system and Sydney Airport remain safe.

Australia has a well-earned reputation for aviation safety. These incidents and the ATSB’s preliminary reports highlight that we must take every opportunity to improve it. 

Addressing operational and workforce challenges is critical to ensuring safe, reliable and resilient air traffic control services for the flying public. This is why the Government established the Sydney Airport Air Traffic Control Working Group which brings together government, industry, workforce and regulatory stakeholders. 

Today, the Government is also announcing the establishment of the Sydney Airport Air Traffic Control Independent Assurance Panel. 

The Panel will provide independent assurance to Government that Airservices is implementing timely, enduring measures to improve service stability, reliability and resilience. 

The Panel will ensure Airservices is taking practical and timely action to address challenges including air traffic control workforce planning, recruitment, training, roster resilience and system improvements. 

Retired Air Vice Marshal Ken Robinson AM has been appointed as Chair of the Panel, with Mr Peter Wilson and Mr David Oliver to join as members, for an initial six-month period.