MEDIA RELEASE The Hon Anthony Albanese MP Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government 16 December 2008 AA202/2008

NEW C.E.O. FOR THE CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY Today I announce the appointment of Mr John McCormick as the new Director of Aviation Safety and Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Mr McCormick will take up the position on 1 March 2009, replacing Mr Bruce Byron AM who completes a term of over five years on 28 February 2009. The Rudd Labor Government places the highest importance on aviation safety and is very pleased to have someone of Mr McCormick's calibre and experience taking the reins of CASA. He comes to Australia's peak aviation safety regulator with more than twenty years senior experience in the industry, including a decade with the Royal Australian Air Force, followed by service with two of the worlds great airlines: Qantas and Cathay Pacific. Mr McCormick will take up his responsibilities at an exciting time for the nation's civil aviation industry. The Government has provided a framework for the industry's future development with the release last week of our Aviation Green Paper, the next stage in the development of the nation's first ever long term Aviation Strategy or White Paper. Safety is at the forefront of the Green Paper and as the independent safety regulator, CASA has a crucial role to play in maintaining Australias proud safety record. To improve its governance arrangements as well as provide stronger support to the CEO and the Minister, I recently announced the Government intends to put in place a small, independent Board for CASA. An early priority for Mr McCormick will therefore be to prepare for the establishment of this Board in July 2009. The Government acknowledges and thanks Mr Bruce Byron  for his outstanding contribution as CASA CEO over the past five years as well as his personal commitment to the highest of safety standards and necessary internal reforms.  He leaves CASA well placed to meet future challenges. Media Contacts Jeff Singleton ( Mr Albanese's Office ) 0410 476 890 MR JOHN McCORMICK Nationality: Australian Marital Status: Married with two children Date of Birth: Age 53 Educational qualifications Griffith University, Queensland Master of Aviation Management, 2003 Summary of Experience 1987-Present   CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS LTD   2006-Present Senior Training Captain, Airbus A330/A340, Queensland   2002-2006 General Manager Operations, Hong Kong   1999-2002 Chief Pilot, Boeing Fleet, Hong Kong   1998 Flight Training Manager, B747-400, Hong Kong   1994-1998 Flight Training Manager, B777/Tristar, Hong Kong   1994 Flight Training Manager, Tristar, Hong Kong   1987-1994 First Officer B747-200/Captain Tristar, Hong Kong       1984-1987   QANTAS AIRWAYS LTD Sydney, NSW Second Officer B747-200 1974-1984   ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE   URL: http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2008/December/AA202_2008.htm