Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Can I thank Senator Brown for that question and also thank him, as it is not my direct portfolio, for advising the minister’s office. The response that we have received is that the government recognises concerns about the negative effects of aircraft noise and its impacts on everyday life. The government supports appropriate measures to minimise the impact of aircraft noise on communities. At present there are established noise abatement zones in the geographical areas surrounding Canberra airport. The zones have been established for a number of years and the government does not currently have plans to change the existing arrangements.

I understand details of these zones are publicly available on Airservices Australia’s website, and I would note that with current traffic and noise levels the government believes there is not sufficient evidence to support calls for a curfew being imposed at Canberra airport. Consideration of any future curfews for all federally leased airports will take place through the current work on the national aviation policy statement. Of course, the government is considering global best practice aircraft noise mitigation initiatives in the development of this statement.