Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the chamber. The Deputy Prime Minister approved the installation of an ILS at Gold Coast Airport last month to improve reliability of landings in adverse weather conditions. The approval has been granted and there is no provision for it to be deferred, as suggested by the motion.

Regarding aircraft laws: the Deputy Prime Minister has instructed Airservices Australia to minimise the use of the ILS while meeting air safety requirements. On fine weather days, the ILS is expected to be used no more than 10 per cent of the time. Maximum use will occur on extremely bad weather days—around 10 days per year.

On environmental issues: the ILS major development plan was subject to the usual environmental process under the Airports Act, and was referred to the Department of the Environment, which approved the installation of the ILS.