Commission of Inquiry into the Relations between the CAA and Seaview Air

Appointed by Letters Patent of 25 October 1994, issued by Governor-General Bill Hayden on the advice of the Keating government, appointing Sir Laurence Street to inquire into decisions and actions of Civil Aviation Authority officers about Seaview Air during 1994, including its upgrading to a regular public transport operator, their diligence in safety matters and the Authority’s management systems; the report was due by 27 February 1995.

Legislation: Royal Commissions Act 1902

1. 29 December 1994James Henry Staunton CBE QC appointed a second commissioner from 3 January 1995 to report jointly with Street; terms varied and reporting date extended.
2. 1 February 1995At his request, Sir Laurence Street’s commission was revoked from 2 February 1995, leaving Staunton as sole commissioner.
3. 30 May 1995Terms of reference widened to the implications for air safety in Australia and reporting date extended to 22 December 1995.
4. 21 December 1995Evidence to close by 29 March 1996 and reporting date extended to 28 June 1996.
5. 25 June 1996Reporting date extended to 30 September 1996.

The final reporting date was 30 September 1996; the report was tabled by Transport Minister John Sharp (exact date not found). It described Seaview as a slipshod and often wilfully non-compliant operator, found that Seaview’s operator and chief pilot and two CAA officers had lacked diligence, and referred those findings to the Director of Public Prosecutions. The CAA itself had been divided in July 1995 into Airservices Australia and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The Parliamentary Handbook gives 9 October 1996 as the date the final report was presented.

• Inquiry into CAA decisions about Seaview Air
• Inquiry into the diligence of CAA and Seaview Air officers on safety
• Review of CAA management systems and implications for air safety

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Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.