Australia deputy PM: 'Aviation sector is in a great position to secure national economic benefits'

Australia's deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese, speaking at the CAPA Australia Pacific Aviation Summit, noted (06-Aug-2013) the importance of the aviation sector on the economy. He explained, "A healthy aviation sector is not just good for business, it's also good for jobs. There are 50,000 people directly employed in aviation. And half a million more are employed in tourism jobs. The air freight industry now carries $110 billion in cargo each year. And aviation overall is now worth a remarkable $32 billion to the Australian economy. The Federal Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that we get the policy settings right so that Australian aviation can continue to thrive in the future". On the outlook, he said: "Today, the market has never looked better. We have passenger growth levels that are the envy of the world. Our White Paper sets out a constructive, 20-year blueprint for growth, and we've enabled the industry to tend to its core business without excessive intervention. We sit today on the doorstep of the fastest growing region of the planet. And the people in the many countries that make up the Asian region are choosing to fly here in greater numbers than ever before. Our aviation sector is in a great position to secure national economic benefits that future growth will bring". [more - original PR]