The original copy of this document can be seen here.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister for Transport and Regional Services
Leader of The Nationals

21 October 2004


Mr Tom Grant
General Manager
Organisational Development
Airservices
GPO Box 367
CANBERRA ACT 2601

via facsimile: 02 6268 5686

Dear Tom

I am writing concerning what I understand to be Airservices legal representatives statement to the Court in the "Dick Smith" case, namely that the Minister would not issue a direction to stop the proposed National Airspace System changes.

It is a fact that the Minister did make such a statement, however it was clearly in the context of no further advice being provided to him between now and 25 November 2004 to the effect that neither the change process or the arrangements that will operate from 25 November 2004 are found to compromise safety. You will recall that there was considerable discussion about the advice from the Australian Government Solicitor in this regard.

Please advise the Court accordingly. [Comment by AIR SAFETY AUSTRALIA - But see the contempt Tom has for the Minister in the affidavit Tom filed at www.airsafety.com.au/ea21tgaff.htm which makes no mention of the requested "context" - but does tell us that the Minister said not once, not twice, but thrice that he would not direct Airservices to reverse the rollback.  How many times had the cock crowed by then, one wonders.]

I would add that it would have been appropriate for Airservices to have informed the Minister of their intention to use his comments in such a public way, given that such comments were made to a group of officials in a private meeting.

Yours sincerely

[Signed]

Peter Langhorne
Chief of Staff


Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600
Tel. (02) 62?7 7680 Fax: (02) 6273 4126
john.andserson.mp@aph.gov.au