Following the release of the Aviation White Paper, the Federal Government is establishing an Aviation Industry Ombuds Scheme to resolve consumer complaints.
Due to the barriers they face when travelling by air, consumer protections in air travel are of particular importance to people with disability.
The Justice and Equity Centre made a submission responding to the Government’s Consultation Paper to highlight the need to consider people with disability in the design of the Ombuds Scheme, including in setting up the Board to govern the Ombuds Scheme and developing the complaints process.
Notably, we recommend against the Ombuds Scheme investigating non-compliance with the new Aviation Disability Standards (another reform initiative of the Aviation White Paper), which will provide minimum standards for disability access in air travel. We believe the Australian Human Rights Commission is a more appropriate body, particularly as the Aviation Disability Standards will be made under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth).
