Ms ANDERSON - 2007-02-13
Air services in and out of the Northern Territory are critical to our tourism industry and the lifestyle of Territorians. Can the minister update the Assembly on recent developments in this area?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question. As a member from Central Australia, I know she is very keen to see increased air services into Alice Springs, as I am sure we all are. It is a critical issue. In the Northern Territory, we cover great distances with a relatively small population, and air services for Territorians is a key and crucial issue for family, leisure or the economy. A key focus for me as Tourism minister is to see increases in air services to the Northern Territory.
Around a year ago, Tiger Airways decided they would launch their service to Australia to the airport of Darwin. Just over 12 months on, that has been a very successful initiative. Over 40 000 people have travelled on that service. Tiger Airways increased the schedules of that service to five flights a week just before Christmas. Last Friday, Tiger Airways made a public announcement about its intention to establish a wholly-owned and operated Australian operation in Australia.
What I have said publicly is that there are two key opportunities for the Northern Territory. One is to ensure that Tiger Airways’ Australian operation services the airports at both Darwin and at Alice Springs. It is absolutely crucial that we secure those services. I urge all Territorians to log on to the Tiger Airways website. There is a poll there where Tiger Airways is asking people to nominate which city they would like to visit. I urge all Territorians, those listening in Alice Springs in particular, to log on and vote for the Northern Territory.
The other opportunity that presents itself is to see Tiger Airways establish its corporate head office in Darwin. It makes a lot of sense because of our proximity to Singapore and the same time zones. Certainly, administrative and potential call centre jobs for the Northern Territory is something that this government is very seriously looking to work with Tiger Airways to deliver.
Madam Speaker, it was a great announcement for the Northern Territory. We need more flights. We need more flights during the day time. I am sure all of us will be trying very hard to talk to the airlines about putting on more flights during the day. I understand the commercial reasons for back of the clock flights, but no one likes getting on a plane at 2 am. This is a very significant announcement. It is very important for the Northern Territory and for Alice Springs.
I urge all members to get their constituents to vote online, vote for the Northern Territory, vote for Darwin, vote for Alice, and let us hope we see Tiger Airways flying into the Northern Territory in the middle of the year.
Members: Hear, hear!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question. As a member from Central Australia, I know she is very keen to see increased air services into Alice Springs, as I am sure we all are. It is a critical issue. In the Northern Territory, we cover great distances with a relatively small population, and air services for Territorians is a key and crucial issue for family, leisure or the economy. A key focus for me as Tourism minister is to see increases in air services to the Northern Territory.
Around a year ago, Tiger Airways decided they would launch their service to Australia to the airport of Darwin. Just over 12 months on, that has been a very successful initiative. Over 40 000 people have travelled on that service. Tiger Airways increased the schedules of that service to five flights a week just before Christmas. Last Friday, Tiger Airways made a public announcement about its intention to establish a wholly-owned and operated Australian operation in Australia.
What I have said publicly is that there are two key opportunities for the Northern Territory. One is to ensure that Tiger Airways’ Australian operation services the airports at both Darwin and at Alice Springs. It is absolutely crucial that we secure those services. I urge all Territorians to log on to the Tiger Airways website. There is a poll there where Tiger Airways is asking people to nominate which city they would like to visit. I urge all Territorians, those listening in Alice Springs in particular, to log on and vote for the Northern Territory.
The other opportunity that presents itself is to see Tiger Airways establish its corporate head office in Darwin. It makes a lot of sense because of our proximity to Singapore and the same time zones. Certainly, administrative and potential call centre jobs for the Northern Territory is something that this government is very seriously looking to work with Tiger Airways to deliver.
Madam Speaker, it was a great announcement for the Northern Territory. We need more flights. We need more flights during the day time. I am sure all of us will be trying very hard to talk to the airlines about putting on more flights during the day. I understand the commercial reasons for back of the clock flights, but no one likes getting on a plane at 2 am. This is a very significant announcement. It is very important for the Northern Territory and for Alice Springs.
I urge all members to get their constituents to vote online, vote for the Northern Territory, vote for Darwin, vote for Alice, and let us hope we see Tiger Airways flying into the Northern Territory in the middle of the year.
Members: Hear, hear!
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016