Meryl Swanson (Paterson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I am delighted today to congratulate Newcastle Airport, which has been named Major Airport of the Year by the Australian Airports Association for 2021. But this is the third time our airport has won this award—such an incredible achievement. I'm privileged to have Newcastle Airport housed in my electorate of Paterson.

I want to acknowledge the terrific team that make up the airport, led by Dr Peter Cock, CEO of Newcastle Airport. Peter oversees the safe and more than satisfactory travel of more than half a million passengers a year. Peter and I have a long history, having worked tirelessly in campaigning for the Turnbull and Morrison governments to take note of the opportunities in the Hunter and support investment in our region, as is so often overlooked by those opposite.

As many in this place know, I've made no secret of my support for the Code E upgrade for the Newcastle Airport. Well, we have delivered, and that will see many thousands of jobs—in fact, over 4,000 jobs—come to the Hunter, specifically through the Newcastle Airport. It is thanks to the airport, their staff and our hardworking community that we will create the jobs in the Hunter region. Thanks, Newcastle Airport, and continue to fly high!

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