See report 'Systemic Investigation into Fuel Contamination'.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that Consumer
and Business Affairs Victoria review its relationship with other
regulatory bodies to clarify the limits of their respective
regulatory powers and responsibilities with respect to aviation
fuels, to ensure that aviation safety issues are effectively
regulated.
Consumer and Business Affairs Victoria has no issue with the
proposed recommendation. Thank you for the opportunity to
comment.
AUSTRALIAN TRANSPORT SAFETY BUREAU INVESTIGATION INTO
CONTAMINATED AVIATION GASOLINE
I refer to your letter of 14 April 2002 regarding the Australian
Transport Safety Bureau's ("ATSB") investigation into contaminated
aviation gasoline, and your request for a response from Consumer
& Business Affairs 'Victoria ("CBAV") regarding
recommendations.
A letter was sent to [name supplied] of the ATSB on 12 December
2000 in response to the draft report of the investigation. A copy
of that letter is attached for your information.
As advised, CBAV does not administer any legislation which controls
the specifications for fuels, including aviation fuel. CBAV is
responsible for the administration of the Fair Trading Act 1999
("the Act"), and in certain circumstances may investigate the
supply of fuel where there is evidence that the supplier has made
false or misleading representations regarding the quality of the
fuel. These matters may give rise to offences under section 10 and
12 of the Act.
CBAV may receive complaints from consumers through its call centre
regarding aviation fuel contamination, and to this end it could
play a role in advising such consumers of measures that can be
taken to address the issues. As such, it seems appropriate the CBAV
be involved in any meeting of regulatory bodies, to discuss
responsibilities and obtain information which might assist with
consumer enquiries.
Please feel free to contact [name supplied] on [telephone number
supplied] to discuss this matter further.
