Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Catherine King said last week that the Australian Labor Party would create a new aviation white paper if they won the upcoming federal election.
"An Albanese Labor Government will deliver a new aviation white paper to set the scene for the next generation of growth and development across the aviation sector, while also establishing effective mechanisms for consultation and management of issues like aircraft noise and airport development," King said in a statement.
"To continue the recovery of Australian aviation, and plot the opportunities for future growth, an Albanese Labor Government will follow in the footsteps of the last Labor government in creating a new Aviation White Paper."
KIng accused the Morrison government of having no aviation plan for the future and said throughout the pandemic the government produced no support of any lasting impact.
King said the ALP's white paper would look at several initiatives including:
- how to maximise the aviation sector’s contribution to achieving net zero carbon emissions, including through sustainable aviation fuel and emerging technologies
- economic reforms needed to improve productivity across the sector, including addressing skills shortages, competition between airports and airlines, and charting a course out of the pandemic
- how to support and regenerate Australia’s general aviation sector
- better mechanisms for consultation on and management of issues like aircraft noise, airport development planning and changing security requirements.
"Only an Albanese Labor Government will end the Coalition’s decade of wasted opportunity, charting a better path for Australia’s essential aviation industry," she said.
The ALP produced an aviation White Paper in 2009 during their last term in government when current Prime Ministerial hopeful Anthony Albanese was minister for transport. It was roundly criticised by the GA community because it delivered little of any substance and ignored much of the industry input provided to the preceeding Green Paper.