Senior public servant Shane Carmody has taken his seat as acting chief executive of Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said Carmody, whose most recent position was as Deputy Secretary at the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, would be in the role for up to 12 months or until a new chief executive was appointed by the CASA board.
Carmody takes over from Mark Skidmore, who announced his resignation as CASA chief executive and director of aviation safety in August, less than two and a half years into his five-year term.
Chester said Carmody would continue to progress the implementation of CASA’s response to the Aviation Safety Regulatory Review (ASRR).
“Mr Carmody’s appointment will ensure the aviation safety regulator retains strong leadership as the reforms are finalised,” Minister Chester said in a statement on Wednesday.
“A domestic and international search for a new CEO is currently underway.”
In his various roles at the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Carmody had responsibility for aviation and airports, the Office of Transport Security, the Western Sydney Unit and local government and territories.
Also, Carmody worked at CASA for about three years between 2006 and 2009 as deputy chief executive for strategy and support. He also worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defence.
His appointment as acting CASA chief executive was first announced on September 1.
“Implementation of the important reforms will require CASA to work closely with all sectors of the aviation industry, a role where Mr Carmody’s previous experience should prove invaluable,” Chester said.
In his final CASA Briefing column, Skidmore acknowledged there would always be “points of tension between the regulator and the regulated”.
However, the retired RAAF Air Vice-Marshal said this was normal and the sign of a healthy relationship.
“As the safety relationship matures we all need to recognise these points of tension and work to address our differences in a positive way,” Skidmore said.
“Genuinely listening to each other is critical and sometimes both sides will have to accept there is no magical middle solution that satisfies everyone.
“What CASA and the aviation community must strive for are the right safety outcomes, reached through proper processes, real consultation and transparent decision making.
