A message from Terri Butler MP
As I recently told the parliament, "it is the responsibility of the government, not unelected agencies, to call the shots. It is up to them to make sure that aircraft noise is managed well, while also making sure that Australians' domestic and international travel and freight needs are served."
Shadow Infrastructure Minister Catherine King has recently announced Labor's commitments for aviation and noise, should we form government after the 2022 federal election:
- An Albanese Labor government will reform Australia's aviation sector. We will commission a new white paper to take a detailed and coordinated look at our national aviation policy framework. It will address aircraft noise and airport planning, but also the future of general and training aviation and help set the sector up for a new era of competition and prosperity.
- Labor MPs and candidates have been calling for a permanent community forum on aircraft noise. The Morrison-Joyce government established a temporary body. An Albanese Labor government will establish it as a permanent and independent community voice, directly to the government.
- Through this body, Labor will be keen to explore other ideas to better manage aircraft noise for Brisbane residents. These could include increased independence for the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman, further independent reviews of runway usage or even issuing an explicit direction to Airservices Australia to minimise overall noise exposure to Brisbane residents. We have an open mind when it comes to doing what needs to be done.
- And an Albanese Labor government will make sure that Airservices actually measures the noise that locals have to put up with, whether from the new runway or the legacy runway. That will include noise monitoring at an elevated location either at Hawthorne or on Balmoral hill. That will add to existing monitoring at Cannon Hill and at other locations.
Aircraft noise arises from both runways at the airport. As your local team, Di, Kara and I will not be advocating for any changes that leave any locals worse off.