Which Ministers agreed to the agricultural drone regulatory changes announced on 20 August 2026, on what date, and under what authority, if those changes were not the subject of a Cabinet or Cabinet committee decision?

Answer

I made the policy decision to create a notification pathway for standard agricultural drone operations as the responsible portfolio Minister. Amendments to Civil Aviation Rules are required to enable the notification pathway. The Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority are currently undertaking detailed policy and rule design. Under section 52 of the Civil Aviation Act 2023, the Minister of Transport can make rules relating to civil aviation. Decisions on rule amendments to enable the notification pathway will be made following a public consultation process, as required by section 61 of the Civil Aviation Act 2023.