Anthony Albanese MP: Labor seeks broader consultation on airport
22-Jun-2017 The Turnbull Government's Forum on Western Sydney Airport should be expanded to ensure the proposed airport is subject to broader public consultation.
The Government created the consultative forum earlier this year after deciding to construct the new airport at Badgerys Creek.
It includes a range of MPs, aviation experts, local government and community representatives and businesspeople.
Labor has welcomed the appointment of University of Western Sydney Chancellor Peter Shergold AC to chair the forum.
This week I have written to the Minister for Urban Infrastructure, Paul Fletcher, asking that the forum be expanded to include the Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, as well as the Member for Lindsay, Emma Husar.
Labor supports the development of the Western Sydney Airport, which will increase Sydney's aviation capacity and create thousands of jobs.
However, to ensure the success of this important project we need a world-class public consultation program.
While Labor congratulates the Government on the creation of this forum, the inclusion of Ms Husar and Ms Templeman would ensure the communities around Penrith and the Blue Mountains could channel their feedback on issues relating to the Western Sydney Airport through their elected local representatives.
The addition of Ms Templeman and Ms Husar is a constructive suggestion to improve the functioning of the forum.