❓ Question on Notice regarding the future of air service network licenses in regional Western Australia. The Minister confirms a decision has been made to extend current licenses by 12 months while further review is undertaken.
AnsweredQoN 654Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to recent media reports which suggest that the state government intends to extend by one year the current coastal and inland network licences for air services in regional Western Australia. (1) Has the minister made a decision on the future arrangements for regulation of air services to each of the ports currently serviced by the network licences? (2) If yes to (1), what is the minister’s decision for regulation of services to each port, and why has he not issued a public statement? (3) If no to (1), is the minister aware of the difficulties the lack of a decision is causing in regional Western Australia, and why is the minister taking so long to make the decision? (4) Does the minister expect any new network licences to go through a tender process; and, if yes, how long does the minister expect the tender process and evaluation to take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN
AnswerView source ↗
Mr President, if the member had given me some notice of such a long and multipart question, it might have facilitated me being able to give an answer, which I am keen to do. A late dispatch has just arrived, Mr President! The member has just asked a full-page question, and he expects me to answer it. Hon Ken Travers : I want to be fair, but the four questions are not that hard to answer. Have you made a decision or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : My response is as follows — (1) Yes. I have been looking at this matter for some time, and I have formed a view in relation to the recommendations put to me by the departmental review into intrastate air services. (2)-(4) I can advise the member that the contents of the story that appeared in Saturday’s newspaper are substantially correct. As I have previously indicated to the house, my responsibility as minister in this matter is to ensure, firstly, that our regional ports have regular passenger services, and, secondly, that any changes to the current arrangements are for the better whether they be in frequency, standards of aircraft or other indicators of performance. I have formed the view that the best way to guarantee that in the future is to have long-term arrangements that will permit airlines to gain access to and invest in new aircraft fleets. To do that I think they need a little more time than perhaps they have had under the current network contract lengths, which were generally about three years with a one-year option. I am not making a criticism when I say that. I think those network systems have served the state well at a time of uncertainty in aviation. Out of courtesy to cabinet I have not released the report or made a public announcement, because it is the subject of advice that I have made to cabinet given the overarching interest. Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
(1) Has the minister made a decision on the future arrangements for regulation of air services to each of the ports currently serviced by the network licences? (2) If yes to (1), what is the minister’s decision for regulation of services to each port, and why has he not issued a public statement? (3) If no to (1), is the minister aware of the difficulties the lack of a decision is causing in regional Western Australia, and why is the minister taking so long to make the decision? (4) Does the minister expect any new network licences to go through a tender process; and, if yes, how long does the minister expect the tender process and evaluation to take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: Mr President, if the member had given me some notice of such a long and multipart question, it might have facilitated me being able to give an answer, which I am keen to do. A late dispatch has just arrived, Mr President! The member has just asked a full-page question, and he expects me to answer it. Hon Ken Travers : I want to be fair, but the four questions are not that hard to answer. Have you made a decision or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : My response is as follows — (1) Yes. I have been looking at this matter for some time, and I have formed a view in relation to the recommendations put to me by the departmental review into intrastate air services. (2)-(4) I can advise the member that the contents of the story that appeared in Saturday’s newspaper are substantially correct. As I have previously indicated to the house, my responsibility as minister in this matter is to ensure, firstly, that our regional ports have regular passenger services, and, secondly, that any changes to the current arrangements are for the better whether they be in frequency, standards of aircraft or other indicators of performance. I have formed the view that the best way to guarantee that in the future is to have long-term arrangements that will permit airlines to gain access to and invest in new aircraft fleets. To do that I think they need a little more time than perhaps they have had under the current network contract lengths, which were generally about three years with a one-year option. I am not making a criticism when I say that. I think those network systems have served the state well at a time of uncertainty in aviation. Out of courtesy to cabinet I have not released the report or made a public announcement, because it is the subject of advice that I have made to cabinet given the overarching interest. Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
(2) If yes to (1), what is the minister’s decision for regulation of services to each port, and why has he not issued a public statement? (3) If no to (1), is the minister aware of the difficulties the lack of a decision is causing in regional Western Australia, and why is the minister taking so long to make the decision? (4) Does the minister expect any new network licences to go through a tender process; and, if yes, how long does the minister expect the tender process and evaluation to take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: Mr President, if the member had given me some notice of such a long and multipart question, it might have facilitated me being able to give an answer, which I am keen to do. A late dispatch has just arrived, Mr President! The member has just asked a full-page question, and he expects me to answer it. Hon Ken Travers : I want to be fair, but the four questions are not that hard to answer. Have you made a decision or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : My response is as follows — (1) Yes. I have been looking at this matter for some time, and I have formed a view in relation to the recommendations put to me by the departmental review into intrastate air services. (2)-(4) I can advise the member that the contents of the story that appeared in Saturday’s newspaper are substantially correct. As I have previously indicated to the house, my responsibility as minister in this matter is to ensure, firstly, that our regional ports have regular passenger services, and, secondly, that any changes to the current arrangements are for the better whether they be in frequency, standards of aircraft or other indicators of performance. I have formed the view that the best way to guarantee that in the future is to have long-term arrangements that will permit airlines to gain access to and invest in new aircraft fleets. To do that I think they need a little more time than perhaps they have had under the current network contract lengths, which were generally about three years with a one-year option. I am not making a criticism when I say that. I think those network systems have served the state well at a time of uncertainty in aviation. Out of courtesy to cabinet I have not released the report or made a public announcement, because it is the subject of advice that I have made to cabinet given the overarching interest. Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
(3) If no to (1), is the minister aware of the difficulties the lack of a decision is causing in regional Western Australia, and why is the minister taking so long to make the decision? (4) Does the minister expect any new network licences to go through a tender process; and, if yes, how long does the minister expect the tender process and evaluation to take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: Mr President, if the member had given me some notice of such a long and multipart question, it might have facilitated me being able to give an answer, which I am keen to do. A late dispatch has just arrived, Mr President! The member has just asked a full-page question, and he expects me to answer it. Hon Ken Travers : I want to be fair, but the four questions are not that hard to answer. Have you made a decision or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : My response is as follows — (1) Yes. I have been looking at this matter for some time, and I have formed a view in relation to the recommendations put to me by the departmental review into intrastate air services. (2)-(4) I can advise the member that the contents of the story that appeared in Saturday’s newspaper are substantially correct. As I have previously indicated to the house, my responsibility as minister in this matter is to ensure, firstly, that our regional ports have regular passenger services, and, secondly, that any changes to the current arrangements are for the better whether they be in frequency, standards of aircraft or other indicators of performance. I have formed the view that the best way to guarantee that in the future is to have long-term arrangements that will permit airlines to gain access to and invest in new aircraft fleets. To do that I think they need a little more time than perhaps they have had under the current network contract lengths, which were generally about three years with a one-year option. I am not making a criticism when I say that. I think those network systems have served the state well at a time of uncertainty in aviation. Out of courtesy to cabinet I have not released the report or made a public announcement, because it is the subject of advice that I have made to cabinet given the overarching interest. Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
(4) Does the minister expect any new network licences to go through a tender process; and, if yes, how long does the minister expect the tender process and evaluation to take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: Mr President, if the member had given me some notice of such a long and multipart question, it might have facilitated me being able to give an answer, which I am keen to do. A late dispatch has just arrived, Mr President! The member has just asked a full-page question, and he expects me to answer it. Hon Ken Travers : I want to be fair, but the four questions are not that hard to answer. Have you made a decision or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : My response is as follows — (1) Yes. I have been looking at this matter for some time, and I have formed a view in relation to the recommendations put to me by the departmental review into intrastate air services. (2)-(4) I can advise the member that the contents of the story that appeared in Saturday’s newspaper are substantially correct. As I have previously indicated to the house, my responsibility as minister in this matter is to ensure, firstly, that our regional ports have regular passenger services, and, secondly, that any changes to the current arrangements are for the better whether they be in frequency, standards of aircraft or other indicators of performance. I have formed the view that the best way to guarantee that in the future is to have long-term arrangements that will permit airlines to gain access to and invest in new aircraft fleets. To do that I think they need a little more time than perhaps they have had under the current network contract lengths, which were generally about three years with a one-year option. I am not making a criticism when I say that. I think those network systems have served the state well at a time of uncertainty in aviation. Out of courtesy to cabinet I have not released the report or made a public announcement, because it is the subject of advice that I have made to cabinet given the overarching interest. Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: Mr President, if the member had given me some notice of such a long and multipart question, it might have facilitated me being able to give an answer, which I am keen to do. A late dispatch has just arrived, Mr President! The member has just asked a full-page question, and he expects me to answer it. Hon Ken Travers : I want to be fair, but the four questions are not that hard to answer. Have you made a decision or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : My response is as follows — (1) Yes. I have been looking at this matter for some time, and I have formed a view in relation to the recommendations put to me by the departmental review into intrastate air services. (2)-(4) I can advise the member that the contents of the story that appeared in Saturday’s newspaper are substantially correct. As I have previously indicated to the house, my responsibility as minister in this matter is to ensure, firstly, that our regional ports have regular passenger services, and, secondly, that any changes to the current arrangements are for the better whether they be in frequency, standards of aircraft or other indicators of performance. I have formed the view that the best way to guarantee that in the future is to have long-term arrangements that will permit airlines to gain access to and invest in new aircraft fleets. To do that I think they need a little more time than perhaps they have had under the current network contract lengths, which were generally about three years with a one-year option. I am not making a criticism when I say that. I think those network systems have served the state well at a time of uncertainty in aviation. Out of courtesy to cabinet I have not released the report or made a public announcement, because it is the subject of advice that I have made to cabinet given the overarching interest. Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
Mr President, if the member had given me some notice of such a long and multipart question, it might have facilitated me being able to give an answer, which I am keen to do. A late dispatch has just arrived, Mr President! The member has just asked a full-page question, and he expects me to answer it. Hon Ken Travers : I want to be fair, but the four questions are not that hard to answer. Have you made a decision or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : My response is as follows — (1) Yes. I have been looking at this matter for some time, and I have formed a view in relation to the recommendations put to me by the departmental review into intrastate air services. (2)-(4) I can advise the member that the contents of the story that appeared in Saturday’s newspaper are substantially correct. As I have previously indicated to the house, my responsibility as minister in this matter is to ensure, firstly, that our regional ports have regular passenger services, and, secondly, that any changes to the current arrangements are for the better whether they be in frequency, standards of aircraft or other indicators of performance. I have formed the view that the best way to guarantee that in the future is to have long-term arrangements that will permit airlines to gain access to and invest in new aircraft fleets. To do that I think they need a little more time than perhaps they have had under the current network contract lengths, which were generally about three years with a one-year option. I am not making a criticism when I say that. I think those network systems have served the state well at a time of uncertainty in aviation. Out of courtesy to cabinet I have not released the report or made a public announcement, because it is the subject of advice that I have made to cabinet given the overarching interest. Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
Hon Ken Travers : I want to be fair, but the four questions are not that hard to answer. Have you made a decision or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : My response is as follows — (1) Yes. I have been looking at this matter for some time, and I have formed a view in relation to the recommendations put to me by the departmental review into intrastate air services. (2)-(4) I can advise the member that the contents of the story that appeared in Saturday’s newspaper are substantially correct. As I have previously indicated to the house, my responsibility as minister in this matter is to ensure, firstly, that our regional ports have regular passenger services, and, secondly, that any changes to the current arrangements are for the better whether they be in frequency, standards of aircraft or other indicators of performance. I have formed the view that the best way to guarantee that in the future is to have long-term arrangements that will permit airlines to gain access to and invest in new aircraft fleets. To do that I think they need a little more time than perhaps they have had under the current network contract lengths, which were generally about three years with a one-year option. I am not making a criticism when I say that. I think those network systems have served the state well at a time of uncertainty in aviation. Out of courtesy to cabinet I have not released the report or made a public announcement, because it is the subject of advice that I have made to cabinet given the overarching interest. Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : My response is as follows — (1) Yes. I have been looking at this matter for some time, and I have formed a view in relation to the recommendations put to me by the departmental review into intrastate air services. (2)-(4) I can advise the member that the contents of the story that appeared in Saturday’s newspaper are substantially correct. As I have previously indicated to the house, my responsibility as minister in this matter is to ensure, firstly, that our regional ports have regular passenger services, and, secondly, that any changes to the current arrangements are for the better whether they be in frequency, standards of aircraft or other indicators of performance. I have formed the view that the best way to guarantee that in the future is to have long-term arrangements that will permit airlines to gain access to and invest in new aircraft fleets. To do that I think they need a little more time than perhaps they have had under the current network contract lengths, which were generally about three years with a one-year option. I am not making a criticism when I say that. I think those network systems have served the state well at a time of uncertainty in aviation. Out of courtesy to cabinet I have not released the report or made a public announcement, because it is the subject of advice that I have made to cabinet given the overarching interest. Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
(1) Yes. I have been looking at this matter for some time, and I have formed a view in relation to the recommendations put to me by the departmental review into intrastate air services. (2)-(4) I can advise the member that the contents of the story that appeared in Saturday’s newspaper are substantially correct. As I have previously indicated to the house, my responsibility as minister in this matter is to ensure, firstly, that our regional ports have regular passenger services, and, secondly, that any changes to the current arrangements are for the better whether they be in frequency, standards of aircraft or other indicators of performance. I have formed the view that the best way to guarantee that in the future is to have long-term arrangements that will permit airlines to gain access to and invest in new aircraft fleets. To do that I think they need a little more time than perhaps they have had under the current network contract lengths, which were generally about three years with a one-year option. I am not making a criticism when I say that. I think those network systems have served the state well at a time of uncertainty in aviation. Out of courtesy to cabinet I have not released the report or made a public announcement, because it is the subject of advice that I have made to cabinet given the overarching interest. Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
(2)-(4) I can advise the member that the contents of the story that appeared in Saturday’s newspaper are substantially correct. As I have previously indicated to the house, my responsibility as minister in this matter is to ensure, firstly, that our regional ports have regular passenger services, and, secondly, that any changes to the current arrangements are for the better whether they be in frequency, standards of aircraft or other indicators of performance. I have formed the view that the best way to guarantee that in the future is to have long-term arrangements that will permit airlines to gain access to and invest in new aircraft fleets. To do that I think they need a little more time than perhaps they have had under the current network contract lengths, which were generally about three years with a one-year option. I am not making a criticism when I say that. I think those network systems have served the state well at a time of uncertainty in aviation. Out of courtesy to cabinet I have not released the report or made a public announcement, because it is the subject of advice that I have made to cabinet given the overarching interest. Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
(1) Has the minister made a decision on the future arrangements for regulation of air services to each of the ports currently serviced by the network licences? (2) If yes to (1), what is the minister’s decision for regulation of services to each port, and why has he not issued a public statement? (3) If no to (1), is the minister aware of the difficulties the lack of a decision is causing in regional Western Australia, and why is the minister taking so long to make the decision? (4) Does the minister expect any new network licences to go through a tender process; and, if yes, how long does the minister expect the tender process and evaluation to take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: Mr President, if the member had given me some notice of such a long and multipart question, it might have facilitated me being able to give an answer, which I am keen to do. A late dispatch has just arrived, Mr President! The member has just asked a full-page question, and he expects me to answer it. Hon Ken Travers : I want to be fair, but the four questions are not that hard to answer. Have you made a decision or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : My response is as follows — (1) Yes. I have been looking at this matter for some time, and I have formed a view in relation to the recommendations put to me by the departmental review into intrastate air services. (2)-(4) I can advise the member that the contents of the story that appeared in Saturday’s newspaper are substantially correct. As I have previously indicated to the house, my responsibility as minister in this matter is to ensure, firstly, that our regional ports have regular passenger services, and, secondly, that any changes to the current arrangements are for the better whether they be in frequency, standards of aircraft or other indicators of performance. I have formed the view that the best way to guarantee that in the future is to have long-term arrangements that will permit airlines to gain access to and invest in new aircraft fleets. To do that I think they need a little more time than perhaps they have had under the current network contract lengths, which were generally about three years with a one-year option. I am not making a criticism when I say that. I think those network systems have served the state well at a time of uncertainty in aviation. Out of courtesy to cabinet I have not released the report or made a public announcement, because it is the subject of advice that I have made to cabinet given the overarching interest. Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
(2) If yes to (1), what is the minister’s decision for regulation of services to each port, and why has he not issued a public statement? (3) If no to (1), is the minister aware of the difficulties the lack of a decision is causing in regional Western Australia, and why is the minister taking so long to make the decision? (4) Does the minister expect any new network licences to go through a tender process; and, if yes, how long does the minister expect the tender process and evaluation to take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: Mr President, if the member had given me some notice of such a long and multipart question, it might have facilitated me being able to give an answer, which I am keen to do. A late dispatch has just arrived, Mr President! The member has just asked a full-page question, and he expects me to answer it. Hon Ken Travers : I want to be fair, but the four questions are not that hard to answer. Have you made a decision or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : My response is as follows — (1) Yes. I have been looking at this matter for some time, and I have formed a view in relation to the recommendations put to me by the departmental review into intrastate air services. (2)-(4) I can advise the member that the contents of the story that appeared in Saturday’s newspaper are substantially correct. As I have previously indicated to the house, my responsibility as minister in this matter is to ensure, firstly, that our regional ports have regular passenger services, and, secondly, that any changes to the current arrangements are for the better whether they be in frequency, standards of aircraft or other indicators of performance. I have formed the view that the best way to guarantee that in the future is to have long-term arrangements that will permit airlines to gain access to and invest in new aircraft fleets. To do that I think they need a little more time than perhaps they have had under the current network contract lengths, which were generally about three years with a one-year option. I am not making a criticism when I say that. I think those network systems have served the state well at a time of uncertainty in aviation. Out of courtesy to cabinet I have not released the report or made a public announcement, because it is the subject of advice that I have made to cabinet given the overarching interest. Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
(3) If no to (1), is the minister aware of the difficulties the lack of a decision is causing in regional Western Australia, and why is the minister taking so long to make the decision? (4) Does the minister expect any new network licences to go through a tender process; and, if yes, how long does the minister expect the tender process and evaluation to take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: Mr President, if the member had given me some notice of such a long and multipart question, it might have facilitated me being able to give an answer, which I am keen to do. A late dispatch has just arrived, Mr President! The member has just asked a full-page question, and he expects me to answer it. Hon Ken Travers : I want to be fair, but the four questions are not that hard to answer. Have you made a decision or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : My response is as follows — (1) Yes. I have been looking at this matter for some time, and I have formed a view in relation to the recommendations put to me by the departmental review into intrastate air services. (2)-(4) I can advise the member that the contents of the story that appeared in Saturday’s newspaper are substantially correct. As I have previously indicated to the house, my responsibility as minister in this matter is to ensure, firstly, that our regional ports have regular passenger services, and, secondly, that any changes to the current arrangements are for the better whether they be in frequency, standards of aircraft or other indicators of performance. I have formed the view that the best way to guarantee that in the future is to have long-term arrangements that will permit airlines to gain access to and invest in new aircraft fleets. To do that I think they need a little more time than perhaps they have had under the current network contract lengths, which were generally about three years with a one-year option. I am not making a criticism when I say that. I think those network systems have served the state well at a time of uncertainty in aviation. Out of courtesy to cabinet I have not released the report or made a public announcement, because it is the subject of advice that I have made to cabinet given the overarching interest. Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
(4) Does the minister expect any new network licences to go through a tender process; and, if yes, how long does the minister expect the tender process and evaluation to take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: Mr President, if the member had given me some notice of such a long and multipart question, it might have facilitated me being able to give an answer, which I am keen to do. A late dispatch has just arrived, Mr President! The member has just asked a full-page question, and he expects me to answer it. Hon Ken Travers : I want to be fair, but the four questions are not that hard to answer. Have you made a decision or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : My response is as follows — (1) Yes. I have been looking at this matter for some time, and I have formed a view in relation to the recommendations put to me by the departmental review into intrastate air services. (2)-(4) I can advise the member that the contents of the story that appeared in Saturday’s newspaper are substantially correct. As I have previously indicated to the house, my responsibility as minister in this matter is to ensure, firstly, that our regional ports have regular passenger services, and, secondly, that any changes to the current arrangements are for the better whether they be in frequency, standards of aircraft or other indicators of performance. I have formed the view that the best way to guarantee that in the future is to have long-term arrangements that will permit airlines to gain access to and invest in new aircraft fleets. To do that I think they need a little more time than perhaps they have had under the current network contract lengths, which were generally about three years with a one-year option. I am not making a criticism when I say that. I think those network systems have served the state well at a time of uncertainty in aviation. Out of courtesy to cabinet I have not released the report or made a public announcement, because it is the subject of advice that I have made to cabinet given the overarching interest. Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: Mr President, if the member had given me some notice of such a long and multipart question, it might have facilitated me being able to give an answer, which I am keen to do. A late dispatch has just arrived, Mr President! The member has just asked a full-page question, and he expects me to answer it. Hon Ken Travers : I want to be fair, but the four questions are not that hard to answer. Have you made a decision or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : My response is as follows — (1) Yes. I have been looking at this matter for some time, and I have formed a view in relation to the recommendations put to me by the departmental review into intrastate air services. (2)-(4) I can advise the member that the contents of the story that appeared in Saturday’s newspaper are substantially correct. As I have previously indicated to the house, my responsibility as minister in this matter is to ensure, firstly, that our regional ports have regular passenger services, and, secondly, that any changes to the current arrangements are for the better whether they be in frequency, standards of aircraft or other indicators of performance. I have formed the view that the best way to guarantee that in the future is to have long-term arrangements that will permit airlines to gain access to and invest in new aircraft fleets. To do that I think they need a little more time than perhaps they have had under the current network contract lengths, which were generally about three years with a one-year option. I am not making a criticism when I say that. I think those network systems have served the state well at a time of uncertainty in aviation. Out of courtesy to cabinet I have not released the report or made a public announcement, because it is the subject of advice that I have made to cabinet given the overarching interest. Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
Mr President, if the member had given me some notice of such a long and multipart question, it might have facilitated me being able to give an answer, which I am keen to do. A late dispatch has just arrived, Mr President! The member has just asked a full-page question, and he expects me to answer it. Hon Ken Travers : I want to be fair, but the four questions are not that hard to answer. Have you made a decision or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : My response is as follows — (1) Yes. I have been looking at this matter for some time, and I have formed a view in relation to the recommendations put to me by the departmental review into intrastate air services. (2)-(4) I can advise the member that the contents of the story that appeared in Saturday’s newspaper are substantially correct. As I have previously indicated to the house, my responsibility as minister in this matter is to ensure, firstly, that our regional ports have regular passenger services, and, secondly, that any changes to the current arrangements are for the better whether they be in frequency, standards of aircraft or other indicators of performance. I have formed the view that the best way to guarantee that in the future is to have long-term arrangements that will permit airlines to gain access to and invest in new aircraft fleets. To do that I think they need a little more time than perhaps they have had under the current network contract lengths, which were generally about three years with a one-year option. I am not making a criticism when I say that. I think those network systems have served the state well at a time of uncertainty in aviation. Out of courtesy to cabinet I have not released the report or made a public announcement, because it is the subject of advice that I have made to cabinet given the overarching interest. Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
Hon Ken Travers : I want to be fair, but the four questions are not that hard to answer. Have you made a decision or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : My response is as follows — (1) Yes. I have been looking at this matter for some time, and I have formed a view in relation to the recommendations put to me by the departmental review into intrastate air services. (2)-(4) I can advise the member that the contents of the story that appeared in Saturday’s newspaper are substantially correct. As I have previously indicated to the house, my responsibility as minister in this matter is to ensure, firstly, that our regional ports have regular passenger services, and, secondly, that any changes to the current arrangements are for the better whether they be in frequency, standards of aircraft or other indicators of performance. I have formed the view that the best way to guarantee that in the future is to have long-term arrangements that will permit airlines to gain access to and invest in new aircraft fleets. To do that I think they need a little more time than perhaps they have had under the current network contract lengths, which were generally about three years with a one-year option. I am not making a criticism when I say that. I think those network systems have served the state well at a time of uncertainty in aviation. Out of courtesy to cabinet I have not released the report or made a public announcement, because it is the subject of advice that I have made to cabinet given the overarching interest. Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : My response is as follows — (1) Yes. I have been looking at this matter for some time, and I have formed a view in relation to the recommendations put to me by the departmental review into intrastate air services. (2)-(4) I can advise the member that the contents of the story that appeared in Saturday’s newspaper are substantially correct. As I have previously indicated to the house, my responsibility as minister in this matter is to ensure, firstly, that our regional ports have regular passenger services, and, secondly, that any changes to the current arrangements are for the better whether they be in frequency, standards of aircraft or other indicators of performance. I have formed the view that the best way to guarantee that in the future is to have long-term arrangements that will permit airlines to gain access to and invest in new aircraft fleets. To do that I think they need a little more time than perhaps they have had under the current network contract lengths, which were generally about three years with a one-year option. I am not making a criticism when I say that. I think those network systems have served the state well at a time of uncertainty in aviation. Out of courtesy to cabinet I have not released the report or made a public announcement, because it is the subject of advice that I have made to cabinet given the overarching interest. Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
(1) Yes. I have been looking at this matter for some time, and I have formed a view in relation to the recommendations put to me by the departmental review into intrastate air services. (2)-(4) I can advise the member that the contents of the story that appeared in Saturday’s newspaper are substantially correct. As I have previously indicated to the house, my responsibility as minister in this matter is to ensure, firstly, that our regional ports have regular passenger services, and, secondly, that any changes to the current arrangements are for the better whether they be in frequency, standards of aircraft or other indicators of performance. I have formed the view that the best way to guarantee that in the future is to have long-term arrangements that will permit airlines to gain access to and invest in new aircraft fleets. To do that I think they need a little more time than perhaps they have had under the current network contract lengths, which were generally about three years with a one-year option. I am not making a criticism when I say that. I think those network systems have served the state well at a time of uncertainty in aviation. Out of courtesy to cabinet I have not released the report or made a public announcement, because it is the subject of advice that I have made to cabinet given the overarching interest. Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
(2)-(4) I can advise the member that the contents of the story that appeared in Saturday’s newspaper are substantially correct. As I have previously indicated to the house, my responsibility as minister in this matter is to ensure, firstly, that our regional ports have regular passenger services, and, secondly, that any changes to the current arrangements are for the better whether they be in frequency, standards of aircraft or other indicators of performance. I have formed the view that the best way to guarantee that in the future is to have long-term arrangements that will permit airlines to gain access to and invest in new aircraft fleets. To do that I think they need a little more time than perhaps they have had under the current network contract lengths, which were generally about three years with a one-year option. I am not making a criticism when I say that. I think those network systems have served the state well at a time of uncertainty in aviation. Out of courtesy to cabinet I have not released the report or made a public announcement, because it is the subject of advice that I have made to cabinet given the overarching interest. Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
Hon Ken Travers : Have you decided, or not? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes. Regardless of which route we go down in the future, it is necessary to extend—this is contained in the report—current licences on protected routes beyond 30 June to provide continuity of service. I have invited existing service providers to take up a 12-month extension to enable them to provide that continued service. That has been made public through the press, and I will be making a further public statement once the matter has been to cabinet. I have advised the member of my views. Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
Hon Ken Travers : How long will the tender process and valuation take? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : The 12-month extensions give us the opportunity to thoroughly canvass Western Australia’s needs. I have decided that we will not move now to deconstruct the current protected route arrangements in Western Australia. Over the next 12 months, probably a lot earlier than that, we will look particularly at some ports that have special circumstances. Hon Ken Travers will probably be aware of the changing circumstances at Ravensthorpe and Mt Magnet. Exmouth has some aspirations and Geraldton is going through a period of transition. I will be working through all of that with the local community. Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
Hon Ken Travers : That is not a decision. If you do not know that, all you are doing is delaying the decision. The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
The PRESIDENT : Order! It is not a debate and there is no provision in this house for supplementary questions. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : It has been put to me that we should deregulate our intrastate air routes, and I have rejected that—that is the decision.
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