Transport

Set up a new airline complaints umpire, passenger rights charter and aviation regulator — back it or block it?

This package creates a new system for when flights go wrong. It sets up an independent Aviation Consumer Ombudsperson to resolve complaints for free, an Aviation Consumer Protection Authority to enforce standards, and a charter setting minimum rules on cancellations, delays, baggage, refunds and help for passengers with disabilities. An aircraft-noise ombudsperson would review Airservices Australia and Defence noise handling. Costs fall on industry via a levy, not taxpayers. Airlines would refund money (not force credits) for cancellations within their control, but there is no automatic cash compensation.

Labor calls it the biggest aviation consumer reform in over a decade. Debate ran about 69 minutes and was interrupted — no vote yet.