Wednesday 11 June 2014

MH370 (Warren Truss)


Office of the Hon Warren Truss MP
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development
Leader of The Nationals
Member for Wide Bay
30 MAY 2014

Reference: MCI4-000107

Mr Eamonn Gosney
93 Richardson Street
BOULDER WA 6432

Dear Mr Gosney

Thank you for your emails dated 27 March 2014 and 8 April 2014 to the Prime Minister, the Hon Tony Abbott MP, regarding Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. As the matters raised fall within the portfolio responsibilities of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, the Hon Warren Truss MP, your emails were forwarded to him for reply. The Deputy Prime Minister has asked me to reply on his behalf.

Australia employs a robust, layered aviation security system that meets and exceeds international requirements. The Australian Government takes the matter of aviation security very seriously and constantly assesses aviation security policy settings.

Three Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigators and an advisor from Boeing, the manufacturer of the aircraft, are aboard ADV Ocean Shield to assist with the search. The investigators have technical expertise in maritime operations, flight data recorders, and materials and aerospace engineering.

The Australian and Malaysian Governments are currently establishing a more comprehensive agreement to define and clarify the responsibilities of both countries for the search and recovery of MH370. In particular, the agreement will set out the financial responsibilities for any contracting of commercial search and recovery capabilities by the countries.

The standards for flight recorders are established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and manufacturers use these standards in the design and specification for their manufacture. The Flight Recorder Panel (FLIRECP) is an ICAO working group that serves as an advisory body for the development of flight recorder standards.

The FLIRECP is comprised of representatives from most of the international investigation authorities, Boeing, Airbus and the International Federation of Airline Pilots’ Association. One of the key lines of investigation by the panel is triggered transmission of flight data following an unusual event and before impact. The ATSB has had longstanding representation on the FLIRECP and has been actively involved in this investigation.

Additionally, and as a direct result of the MH370 incident, ICAO is convening a multi-disciplinary meeting in Montreal regarding global tracking. The agenda includes consideration of the need and means to globally track aircraft, the need for ICAO guidance, and exploring the potential for strengthening ICAO provisions on flight following. Australia will be participating in this meeting.

Thank you for raising these matters.

Yours sincerely

[Signature]

David L. Whitrow
Chief of Staff

Suite MG 41, Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Phone: 02 6277 7680
Fax: 0262734163


Image Credit: aph.gov.au

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