PRIME MINISTER
EMBARGOED UN~ TIL DELIVERY CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
OPENING OF THE PERTH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TERMINAL COMPLEX
PERTH 25 OCTOBER 1986
Ladies and gentlemen,
It gives oc great pleasure to be in western Australia again
-the home, for some time to come I am sure, of a well-known
trophy conin~ ioworating an earlier mode of international
transport to open a facility serving a more modern, more
accessible m'ode of international travel.
Air trianrport itself has come a long way in the 25 years
since the Dresent terminal was developed for the Empire
Games, when the standard international aircraft waG the
seat Locl?. heed Constellation.
Today the typical international aircraft carries over 400
passengers and Perth now handles three times as many
passengerE as a decade ago.
Western Australia's economic development and the immediate
requiremconts generated by the defence of the America's Cup
clearly called for an upgrading of facilities.
The result is a total investment of $ 100 million and the
most modern international airport facility in the country.
Indeed, this airport has found admirers in China where
interest has been shown in building a terminal in Guangzhou
( Canton) closely based on this facility.
The Comn~ r~ wealth has contributed some $ 75 million to the
project: to the new terminal itself, to navigational aids
and to -cefety equipment. A further $ 25 million has been
invested by the aviation and aviation-related industries.
The termi.. 5nal will end the congestion and delays of the old
combined domestic/ international terminal. It includes the
latest designs in baggage-handling, check-in security,
energy-cfficiency and facilities for the disabled.
The decor reflects the unique Western Australian
environru2nt, highlighted by a mural donated by the State
G o ve rmn ~
0 0
The airport ilso features this spectacular 70 metre high
control to-er the highest in Australia. The tower
symbolises our faith in Perth's future; it has been built
so tall to ensure it remains functional as this
international airport expands.
Beginning in 1987,. the recently established Federal Airports
Corporation will assume responsibility for the management of
Australia's major airports, including this one.
This bold co-.. mercial strategy is indicative of the
Government'% concern to make Australia's publicly funded
enterprises> wore cost-effective, more competitive and more
efficient. I welcome the Chairman of the FAC, Mr David Sullivan, and
other corporation members to this ceremony. In this new
Internationl Airport the Corporation will be taking over a
vital, growing concern and manage it wisely for the benefit
of all Australians.
Airports are big business. The scale of investment we see
around us here is proof of this.
The management of airports by a largely independent body
will be of nignificant advantage to the taxpayers who fund
them, the travelling public and the aviation industry. The
FAC will be able to act responsively in what is a dynamic
market, and run these valuable public assets on a more
commercial basis.
Important as the FAC is, it is nevertheless only one element
of the Government's overall strategy to improve the
efficiency of the aviation industry and the levels of
services to the consumer.
This strategy includes the two reviews which have already
been undertaken, the Bosch Inquiry into Aviation Cost
Recovery and the Butcher/ Scully Review of International Air
Freight. This Government has made substantial changes to
Australian Airlines and Qantas to allow them to operate more
commercially. We have been steadily improving Departmental
efficiency. A review is also underway of the 1981 Two
Airline Agreement.
Most recently, we have taken an in-principle decision to
establish a Civil Aviation Corporation to operate air
traffic control, flight advisory services, navigational
aids, comirunications systems, and rescue and firefighting
services at airports.
The opening of this airport terminal provides an improved
gateway not only to a vibrant and exciting part of Australia
but to the nation as a whole. At the commercial level the
airport is well placed to cater for South-East Asian markets
and will nc doubt foster their growth.
3
is~ in Astrliais now growing very strongly, fuelled
jAsstralia5s favourable international profile as a tourict
Vination and sustained by the depreciation of the dollar.
ley ett utai' D n consfrnal
~ ost recent ectimates, the industry contributes about
9C, OO ejneo . rlal D n acut frnal
isnew airport will ensure that a growing proportion of
visitors first experience Australian hospitality, which Paul
Vogan has made international by-word, in this " State of
? xcitement.
Western Australia is already an important and popular
tourist destina. i. on for both Australian and international
visitors, due to its diversity of attractions and excellent
facilities.
This new terminal facility will play a major role in
welcoming visitors for the America's Cup.
The Cup is a major international event. The Challenge will
be one of the biggest sporting event in the world in 1987.
The attention of the world will focus on Fremantle and on
Australia. The spin-off from this exciting sports event are enormous.
An independent study by the University of Western Australia
has shown an ex~ pected benefit of around $ 600 million to the
western Australian economy.
Western Australia's potential as a base for corporate
activity in the Asian and Indian ocean region will be on
display. There will be a large number of business and
professional ccnventions held during the Cup period.
And there will be substantial flow-on benefits to the
Australian economy, particularly in tourism.
Which brings ine back to this facility, and the
Commonwealth's interest shared, I know, by Brian Burke's
Government in ensuring that expenditure on the defence of
the Cup will be of continuing benefit after this, the first
of many defences, is successfully concluded.
These benefi. ts should not end with the Cup defence, but
continue as a result of the investment, development and
exposure of the opportunities this State and this nation can
provide. Western Australia, the State of Excitement, is experiencing
a new and exciting period of development with the eyes of
the world upon it.
The new Perth International Airport Terminal will ensure
that the Commonwealth Government contributes, in a lasting
way, at this challenging time.