Mr HATTON - 1999-10-20
Following the privatisation of the airports in the Northern Territory, there has been some ongoing controversy and conflict concerning public transport facilities that are operating their businesses out of airports - hire cars, shuttle bus services, taxis and minibuses - and those who work through airports incidentally to their business, such as tour operators who collect and deliver their customers as part of their service. The controversy has been over the charging practices at the airport. Could the minister please advise the government’s position on the owners of Darwin and Alice Springs Airports using Northern Territory legislation to enforce commercial licensing charges required by the airport company from taxis, buses and other operators who are operating out of the airports or who use the airport incidental to their business? What is the government doing to counteract what could be regarded as monopoly practices affecting people who must go to the airport?
ANSWER
Mr PALMER (Transport and Infrastructure Development): Mr Speaker, while not wishing to not properly inform the House, I will attempt to keep my answer short.
The Northern Territory Airports Corporation is a competent authority under the Traffic Act and, along with municipal councils and the university, is entitled to use the provisions of the act to enforce parking and traffic management arrangements on its properties. However, it was brought to the attention of the government that the corporation is using those provisions of the Traffic Act to enforce commercial licensing arrangements with various transport operators.
The government has advised the Territory Airports Corporation that it was never the intention that the act be used for such purposes, and it must desist forthwith. Failure to desist will result in this government amending the regulations to make quite clear the purposes for which the act can be applied - properly for the management of traffic and parking arrangements within those facilities, but not for enforcing other commercial arrangements.
ANSWER
Mr PALMER (Transport and Infrastructure Development): Mr Speaker, while not wishing to not properly inform the House, I will attempt to keep my answer short.
The Northern Territory Airports Corporation is a competent authority under the Traffic Act and, along with municipal councils and the university, is entitled to use the provisions of the act to enforce parking and traffic management arrangements on its properties. However, it was brought to the attention of the government that the corporation is using those provisions of the Traffic Act to enforce commercial licensing arrangements with various transport operators.
The government has advised the Territory Airports Corporation that it was never the intention that the act be used for such purposes, and it must desist forthwith. Failure to desist will result in this government amending the regulations to make quite clear the purposes for which the act can be applied - properly for the management of traffic and parking arrangements within those facilities, but not for enforcing other commercial arrangements.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016