The Hon Anthony Albanese MP

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Minister for Infrastructure, Transpor

December 2, 2008

"Launch of the Aviation Green Paper"

EVENT NOT BROADCAST 

On 2 December 2008, the Government will release its Aviation Green Paper for public input.  Following the release of an Issues Paper in April 2008, this is the next step in the development of Australia's first ever Aviation White Paper.

Almost a century after the birth of the Australian aviation industry, the Rudd Labor Government is bringing together all aspects of aviation policy into a single statement.  More than ever, the aviation industry underpins domestic economic growth and provides an essential gateway to the global economy.

At present, the aviation industry directly supports nearly 50,000 jobs and contributes $6.8 billion to Australia's GDP.  And since the mid-1980s, there has been an almost three fold increase in air travel, with predictions that it will double within the next 20 years.
 
But with growth comes new challenges – and if we are to continue to benefit from the economic and social advantages of air travel we need to plan ahead.

The previous short term, ad-hoc, problem by problem approach is no longer tenable if Australia is to remain internationally competitive.
 
The aim of the White Paper will be to provide greater planning and investment certainty for the aviation industry, improve safety for the travelling public and address the wider community and environmental impacts associated with air transport and airport development.