Brian Burston (NSW, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Local Government and Territories and the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Senator Nash. Minister, as the minister for local government, can you advise if local governments have either sought advice or been given directives from any federal agencies on security threats for the construction of synagogues in Australia in light of the original decisions by Waverley Council and the New South Wales Land and Environment Court to block the construction of a synagogue in Bondi because of fears it might attract a terrorist attack, notwithstanding the joint statement by Friends of Refugees of Eastern Europe and Waverley Council this morning?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Burston for his question and some advance knowledge of it, and acknowledge his interest in the safety and security of Australian citizens. I must start by stating that the Commonwealth does not have any specific state or constitutional powers relating to local government or land planning. With the exception of issues of national environmental concern, local planning issues are the responsibility of the relevant local government and state government. I also advise the senator that it is the longstanding practice of the Australian government not to comment on what advice has been provided by or sought from our intelligence agencies in relation to specific security threats. What I can say to the senator, however, is that Commonwealth security and law enforcement agencies do not direct local governments in relation to development and planning matters, and these decisions are entirely a matter for the respective state and local government bodies.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Burston, a supplementary question.

Brian Burston (NSW, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister assure the residents of New South Wales that any applications by Lindt or Max Brenner chocolate to open new sites will not be subject to the same restrictions as the Bondi synagogue and, further, that any development application for construction of a mosque or any other place of worship anywhere in New South Wales will be vetoed if nearby residents express concerns for their security?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I indicated in my primary answer, with the exception of matters of national environmental significance, the Commonwealth has no specific powers under the Constitution when it comes to local planning issues. The development application to which the senator refers was determined by the New South Wales Land and Environment Court, in accordance with the laws of New South Wales. Any implications of this decision would be a matter for the relevant New South Wales authorities to explain.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Burston, a final supplementary question.

Brian Burston (NSW, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

With the recently thwarted radical Islamic terrorist plot to blow up a plane departing Sydney airport, as Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, can you advise the Senate if the federal government will now consider the proposed Badgerys Creek airport a terrorist threat and halt construction on the new airport?

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will invite the minister to respond, Senator Burston, but it was bordering on not being a supplementary question.

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am happy to answer it for the senator. The coalition government remains fully committed to this nation-building project and is investing $5.3 billion to build the Western Sydney Airport through a new company, WSA Co. A new airport for Western Sydney will deliver the people of Western Sydney improved access to aviation services, much-needed aviation capacity in the Sydney Basin and significant new, high-quality jobs. Construction will begin by late 2018 and the airport will be operational by 2026. Like all Australian airports, Western Sydney Airport will have a transport security program, which will set out how aviation security will be managed at the airport.