Warren Entsch (Leichhardt, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'd like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to a former North Queensland Airports CEO, Norris Carter, who recently stepped down from this role. For the past four years, Norris's exemplary leadership in overseeing Cairns and Mackay airports has been without question. Norris's stewardship saw Cairns Airport named the 10th best airport in the Australia and Pacific region in the Skytrax World Airport Awards in 2019, the first time Cairns Airport has been recognised in the Skytrax World Airport Awards. Last year, Cairns Airport also topped the ratings, for the third year in a row, for the most punctual airport in Australia and New Zealand.

One of Mr Carter's legacies has been overseeing a $55 million transformation of the domestic terminal to make it one of the best in the country. The project saw T2 Terminal expand to 10,000 square metres, with additional seating; improved layout and simplified navigation for passengers; and an additional 2,000 square metres for dining and retail. More recently, in the post-COVID world, the Brisbane to Cairns route became the busiest in the nation, while Mr Carter was instrumental in securing new direct flights to the Sunshine Coast, Canberra and Perth.

I'd like to take this opportunity to extend my most sincere thanks to Norris Carter for his contribution to our community. It has been absolutely outstanding, and I wish him well and all the very best for his future endeavours.