Page 1906 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 14 May 2013
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
accommodation investment opportunities in Canberra. Supported by Austrade and the Australian High Commission, the round table attracted a number of Singapore-based hotel investors for a focused conversation on specific opportunities.
Aviation opportunities were another focus of my trip to Singapore. As the Assembly is well aware, the Canberra Airport is undergoing a remarkable transformation. The $420 million airvolution project has and will continue to change Canberra and how it is perceived as our nation’s capital for all time. The government applauds the vision of the airport for the investment they are making to the number one gateway to Canberra and to the region, and the economic and business hub that the airport has become in recent years. The government is working closely with airport management to secure direct international flights in and out of Canberra. That is why in the past 12 months I have formed an aviation task force and the Gallagher government has committed $1.8 million over the coming forward years for the establishment of direct international flights.
To date, our efforts have been focused on trans-Tasman flights and discussions are at an advanced stage with airlines and the relevant New Zealand authorities, including airports and tourism bodies on the other side of the Tasman. During my trip to Singapore I began the conversation at an appropriate level regarding flights from Changi Airport. Changi Airport is one of the world’s most important airline and aviation hubs and a direct link to Canberra is a significant opportunity. I am pleased to report that the ACT’s representations were met with enthusiasm and encouragement. I think that if Singaporeans know anything, they know the business of aviation, airports and establishing new services to new destinations. Meetings with senior executives at both the Singapore Tourism Board and Changi Airport have laid the foundation and commitment for a cooperative working partnership to progress the government’s vision for international flights.
I also had a very warm meeting with Minister Iswaran of the Singapore government, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, and also Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade and Industry with specific responsibility for tourism. Our discussions were broad ranging. He was particularly interested in the Canberra Airport development, the city to the lake project and capital metro. Securing the interest and support of a figure of such influence is a win for Canberra and one of the highlights of what was a very successful international mission.
These meetings resulted in important tasks for my officials and they will also support the Canberra Airport management team who will be making a follow-up visit to Singapore in coming months. This visit will help organise the nuts and bolts of the business case to be put to the various airlines at the earliest opportunity. I hope that they will consider this. I hope they will jump at the chance to capitalise on being the first to connect Canberra with our neighbours to the north and then on to the rest of the world.
Clearly, international flights are a commercial decision for individual airlines. However, I am confident that the relationships I have forged in Singapore will see our efforts benefit from the full support of the appropriate Singaporean authorities as we go about the business, in partnership with the Canberra Airport and our business and
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video