Report in The Australian by Steve Creedy says that Labour has surprised the aviation industry by appointing Anthony Albanese as transport minister and
giving former opposition spokesman Martin Ferguson the resources, energy
and tourism portfolio.
Mr Ferguson was respected in the role and many in the industry were expecting him to take up the portfolio after Labor’s victory, despite suggestions he was keen to return to resources.
As well as the transport portfolio, Mr Albanese, 44, will take responsibility for infrastructure, regional development and local government.
Mr Albanese has been a member of parliament since 1996 and is a prominent member of Labor’s Left who made his name in the political intrigue of NSW
Labor’s Sussex Street headquarters. His opposition portfolios have included environment, heritage, infrastructure and ageing.
Industry figures are still digesting the news of Mr Albanese’s appointment and responding cautiously. Mr Albanese has been outspoken about aircraft noise issues affecting his inner-Sydney electorate of Grayndler and there was some worry that this would conflict with his aviation responsibilities.
He has already asked Sydney Airport chiefs to explain why work on a major safety upgrade to the east-west runway would take more than a year to complete.
“We hope that he’s able to retain some constructive and objective views with regards to his portfolio responsibilities,” Australian Airports Association chief executive Ken Keech said. “He’s been fairly outspoken in the past.”
Sydney Airport chief executive Russell Balding simply congratulated Mr
Albanese on his appointment and said he looked forward to working with him.
Airline umbrella group, Board of Airlines Representatives of Australia, expressed hope Mr Albanese would press on with a long-term aviation plan outlined last week by Mr Ferguson.
Mr Ferguson said the Rudd Government would work to develop the national aviation plan in its first 12 months, setting an industry framework for the
next 20 years.
The plan would include a detailed analysis of future passenger and freight growth, including regulatory barriers and capability gaps threatening that expansion. It would address problems in general aviation as well as the skills shortage and seek a more cohesive government approach.
BARA executive director Warren Bennett said airlines and airports had been
trying for years to get governments to set up an aviation policy.
“We want to make sure that policy discussion gets off on the right foot and
we certainly want to be involved with the government on that,” he said.
Mr Bennett said it would also be interesting to hear Mr Albanese’s views about
a second Sydney airport.
Labor has favoured a site outside the Sydney basin but shelved plans to sell
land for an airport at Badgerys Creek.
A report by The Mole from The Australian
