Rudd and Albanese still sitting in departure lounge
16th December, 2009
The release of today’s Rudd Government Aviation White Paper is mainly memorable for the decisions it does not make, rather than for those it does.“For two years, the Rudd Government and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese have built up the release of the white paper today to be a monumental statement of future government policy and action,” said the Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Transport Minister, Warren Truss
“Instead, we have a typical Labor Party policy wimp out with more reviews and inquiries. Labor didn’t know what to do about aviation two years ago and obviously still doesn’t.”
The white paper promises another review into a site for a second Sydney Airport, a review into the curfew at Brisbane Airport and possibly similar curfew reviews at other airports such as Melbourne and Perth.
Serious questions have now been raised about the viability of Sydney’s curfew and cap on movements. Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has raised the threat of moving regional flights to Bankstown. The white paper offers nothing for general and sports aviation except more reviews, and the former Coalition government’s action agenda on general aviation is consigned to the dustbin.
“The Rudd Government is moving on aviation with all the speed and comfort of a Tiger Moth rather than an A380,” Mr Truss said.
“The Government’s decision to allow a single foreign investor to own 49 percent of Qantas would deliver effective control to a foreign investor, including possibly a competitor airline. Lost of effective Australian control could leave Australia without an airline primarily committed to our interests.
What safeguards will be put in place for the Australian flying public, particularly those in regional areas?”
The Coalition has not supported a curfew at Brisbane Airport. In Opposition, Mr Rudd built his political career fighting silly court cases which cost large amounts of taxpayer’s money and the review is clearly a sop to him. A review puts at risk $2 billion in investment at the airport and Mr Rudd should be thinking about the state and national interest rather than noise over his own home in Brisbane.
The Coalition supports the sensible evolution of aviation security and screening measures, provided the new measures are fully explained and overall security levels are not diminished.
Today’s changes appear to be a logical progression from the Wheeler Review of aviation security completed by the former Coalition government.
“My greatest concerns are about Labor’s rundown of border security, rather than tweezers and knitting needles. Cuts to Customs and quarantine inspections for arriving passengers and cargo have resulted in hundreds of frontline inspectors being sacked and 4.7 million fewer cargo consignment inspections,” Mr Truss said.
