Nola Marino (Forrest, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wanted to acknowledge the commitment of the WA state government through their investment in the upgrading and expansion of the Busselton Regional Airport to the tune of $59.7 million.

This has just been announced and it means that interstate visitors will be able to fly directly into our South West region and into the Margaret River region as well. This means that interstate airlines will be part of that and this will combine significantly to increase a wider economic growth throughout the South West region. This will be managed by the City of Busselton, which has done an amazing job, and facilitated through the South West Development Commission. This is a regionally transformative project for tourism and agri-tourism. We have some of the best quality produce from marron to truffles, to wine, to dairy, to beef—you name it. We have wonderful events like CinefestOZ, the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro and the Margaret River Gourmet Escape.

From now on, a whole lot of tourists will be able to just make a decision in time to come directly into my part of the world. I see a great opportunity for freight ahead, and this is a very good investment in the south-west of Western Australia. Over time I also see some benefits of direct links into Asia and some greater opportunities through free trade agreements that we have done at this level.