Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, upon notice, on 20 July 2011:

In regard to a recent Lateline program on aeroplane construction (namely Boeing) and parts not meeting their specifications, especially supporting hoops for fuselages: As a result of the report:

(a) have any investigations been undertaken by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority in relation to equipment purchased from Boeing by the domestic carriers; if so, what have those investigations revealed;

(b) is the department in negotiations with Boeing or domestic carriers concerning these revelations; and

(c) what steps, if any, have been taken to investigate the potential safety issues outlined in the program.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

I have been advised by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Australia's independent aviation safety regulator, that it is aware of the claims aired in the "Dateline" program. However, CASA has also advised that the claims have not been substantiated by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which conducts oversight of aircraft manufacturing systems in the US, including the production of Boeing aircraft. CASA has also confirmed there have been no airworthiness directives issued in relation to claims made in the documentary.