Leadership, Aviation, and the Asian Century - Swinburne University ...

But what about the bigger picture, and the contemporary picture -- the national and international
level of leadership in Australia today? Looking at the bigger picture, and why we are here today, can
Australia assume a leading role in the Asian Century? In the White Paper on Australia in the Asian
Century, Dr Ken Henry’s team has provided a detailed and useful blueprint for future action. And the
government has set itself high standards to ramp up domestic efforts to improve scientific and
cultural literacy, as well as engagement with China and other Asian nations.
But as leaders in the aviation and aerospace industry, you would be well familiar with some of the
issues that arise in trying to implement the White Paper’s ambitious goals. One area of particular
concern is what the Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb, has warned is a growing “anti-science
culture” and the avoidance of science and mathematics courses by Year 11 and 12 students – a trend
that Professor Chubb has warned may threaten Australian innovation, education, and economic
well-being. And the decades-long erosion of Asian language studies in Australian schools will not be
easy to reverse. Government, business, including the aviation and aerospace business, and
academia will need all the creativity and political will they can muster to innovate – to lead – in
capturing the imagination of a new generation to truly engage with Asia.
To try to address these and other equally wicked problems, we are extremely fortunate today to
have two of Australia’s aviation leaders, each spearheading their own organisation’s foray into new
markets, and encountering the many cultural and business challenges and critical leadership
questions we have been exploring here today.
Let me introduce Air-Vice Marshal Margaret Staib, CEO, Air Services Australia. Margaret Staib
commenced in the role of CEO at Air Services in October 2012, after a distinguished career over
three decades in the Royal Australian Air Force.
From January 2010 until October 2012, she held the position of Commander Joint Logistics. In 2000,
Ms Staib’s contribution and leadership in the field of ADF Aviation Inventory Management was
recognised when she was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross. Ms Staib was a member of the
Chief of Air Force Advisory Committee. Margaret is also a member of the Industry Advisory Board
for the Centre for Aeronautical & Aviation Leadership and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University. She is a Certified Practicing Logistician and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics
and Transport.
Let me also introduce Mr David Hall, who was appointed Chief Executive Officer, Jetstar Australia
and New Zealand, in August 2010. Previously, Mr Hall was responsible for the Qantas Group’s
technology platform and service delivery, and head of Group Strategy. David has been with Qantas
Group for seven years after joining as Jetstar Airways’ Chief Financial Officer. David has enjoyed an
extensive finance career in public practice, banking, and mining, including positions at Rio Tinto,
National Australia Bank, ANZ Banking Group Limited and WMC Resources Limited.
We are delighted to have them on this panel to engage with the audience on issues for Australian
leadership I the Asian Century.
Asia Pacific Aviation/Aerospace Leaders Summit 2013