Avalon international bid in election boost

Erin Pearson
INTERNATIONAL flights at Avalon Airport are just “a few years” away after a Labor pre-election promise this week to help deliver a new terminal, according to MP Richard Marles.
The federal Member for Corio said Wednesday’s announcement meant a returned Gillard Government would walk “hand-in-hand” with Avalon to attract international airlines.
“It effectively gives Avalon the confidence to go out and attract an international airline in full knowledge they have the Federal Government supporting them,” Mr Marles said.
“When introducing an international airport you’ve effectively opened the door to the country, so you’ve got to make sure you get it right. There are a myriad of federal agencies that operate out of an international airport, from quarantine to Air Services Australia, which all have different roles to play to make this safe.
“We’re saying we will walk hand-in-hand with Avalon to overcome any obstacles to get this up and running.”
Mr Marles said an international airport at Avalon would provide “thousands” of jobs for Geelong.
“There are 1000 employees for every million passengers at an airport,” he said.
“With Tiger announcing they will be flying out of Avalon as well we’ve really got the prospect of having the airport grow many times the size of what it is now.
“What it means for Geelong is that Avalon is the best employment growth prospect in the region. It’s as significant a moment in economic history as when Alcoa located to Geelong in the ’60s.”
Federal Financial Services Minister Chris Bowen said the Government recently negotiated international air service agreements that could help airports like Avalon attract business from countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia”.
Federal Liberal candidate for Corio Don Gibson committed a coalition government to “equally” matching the Labor promise on Avalon.
“The federal Liberal party supports any development interests for Avalon Airport toward proving it as an international terminal and will agree to supply the services required,” he said.
“In addition, at a state level the Liberal party already has a formal policy in place, announced by Mr Baillieu two years ago, to support the development of an international airport.
“Our criticism now is Labor, at a state level, has to match this by providing the outside infrastructure.”