Meryl Swanson (Paterson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I stand here today to implore this government to fund the $50 million upgrade of Newcastle Airport. The upgrade will allow a code E runway, which will in turn provide our region with the ability to accommodate long-range aircraft, unlocking international freight and passenger routes. This will generate significant economic growth across the region—it's quite remarkable when you look at it—the creation of 4,410 extra full-time jobs, $12.7 billion in regional economic benefit, $6.2 billion in extra income added to the visitor economy and $6½ billion in additional freight activity.

Recent independent analysis of the benefit-cost ratio came out at a compelling 2.8—talk about bang for your buck. However, this project really is urgent. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to undertake this strengthening of the runway at Newcastle Airport. Newcastle Airport shares the runway with RAAF Base Williamtown. The base has scheduled maintenance due early next year, which presents this once-in-15-years opportunity to complete this work. The community want this to happen. The March 2019 ReachTEL survey found that five local government areas across the Hunter said that 95 per cent of the Hunter residents want international flights out of Williamtown. We need this— (Time expired)

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