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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 4 Hansard (30 March) . . Page.. 1183 ..

Ms Carnell: Yes, that is right, they will own them.

MR QUINLAN: As long as I have those assurances, I am happy with that. As I said, the deal looks good on paper, but I will repeat my assertion that this is, if not hot, a very warm speculative venture. Of the consultants' reports that we have, Access have said that some elements of the project are uncertain. Access have said that they have taken Impulse's business plan on face value. Really, everybody's case sits on the same marketing surveys. I have to say that if there was not one in there that was commissioned by the ACT Government, by the Institute of Transport of the University of Sydney, then I might even be voting differently on this matter. But there is one organisation that should be independent and maybe we can depend on those figures. But the whole case is built on one market survey, really. As we have already stated through our leader, Mr John Stanhope, we support it, but we also recognise in doing so that, to some extent, it is a leap of faith.

MR RUGENDYKE (5.16): The Access Economics report on this proposal bases its analysis on conservative figures and it certainly stacks up well. The report indicates that there would be positive impacts on employment, gross territory product and budget revenues. Access Economics also said that Impulse's business plan was commercially sound. There are clear problems with the airport situation in Sydney. People want to avoid Sydney wherever possible. I agree that this creates a huge opportunity for Impulse to set up a regional hub in Canberra. If regional people can get to their destination by avoiding Sydney, they will. Canberra can certainly provide that flight path.

One point mentioned by Access Economics was the increase in competition and the prospect of a fare war. Access indicates that Impulse is well positioned to combat these types of pressures. I understand that they have planned ahead and are equipped to handle such a situation. I have also received the same information from Impulse. I note that the ACIL Consulting report on Impulse Airlines and the Canberra economy is also positive. Impulse did commission this report and its research concluded that the relocation would also strengthen the skills and technology base of the ACT.

The real job benefits for the ACT are exciting in the package that Impulse plans to bring to the ACT. Down the track, I am impressed with the potential of the aviation centre of excellence. The training that pilots are required to undertake in simulators can and will be performed around the clock. Impulse presently send their pilots to America for this training, but having such a facility in Canberra could attract business from other regions and other countries.

Earlier this year we had Richard Branson shop his Virgin Airlines proposal round Australia in a high-profile media event. As we know, he overlooked the ACT and is planning to set up his operation in Queensland. I did not get to meet Mr Branson, but I did get to spend some time with Impulse boss Gerry McGowan, as did other members of the Assembly. Impulse have built a community airline in Newcastle. They are well known for their association with the Newcastle Knights, but they also have other

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