Ms KERNOT —My question is to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Minister, you gave us an answer on class G. Can you also confirm that temporary changes had to be made to the new class E airspace arrangements that commenced last week after air traffic controllers refused to participate in the new arrangements, again because of safety fears? Do you consider this process to be airspace management of an acceptably high standard? Can you confirm that these last-minute changes expire on Thursday this week? And do you intend to satisfy yourself, as the minister responsible for air safety, that any new class E airspace arrangements after Thursday are properly managed and do not jeopardise air safety?

Mr ANDERSON (Deputy Prime Minister) —Again, I thank the honourable member for her question. I think that the question of aviation safety in general and of airspace management in particular is one on which we all acknowledge that safety is paramount. In relation to class E in general, I can tell the House that there was the successful introduction of class E airspace in what is known as the Canberra-Ballina corridor earlier this year.

Mr Crean interjecting—

Mr ANDERSON —If members opposite are interested in the answer to the question, I will give it to them in a moment. There was a problem last week in relation to a further rolling out of class E, which has been successfully trialled, is now bedded down and supported for its enhanced procedural and safety aspects in that corridor between Canberra and Ballina. There was an industrial disputation essentially over the width of the corridor last week, and an agreement was made to triple the width of the corridor. That is to be reviewed at the end of the period which, as you indicated, is in a few days time.

Mr Crean —A scientific corridor.

Mr ANDERSON —As I say, if you are interested in the answer, the fact of the matter is—

Mr Crean —How can it be classed an industrial dispute if it was a disagreement about the width of a traffic corridor?

Mr SPEAKER —The member for Hotham!

Mr ANDERSON —I would expect you to say that. The fact of the matter is that this class E airspace has been successfully introduced in that corridor of Canberra-Ballina, as it is known. It is now being wound out. There was a disagreement about how wide the corridor should be—five kilometres either side of centre or not. It was agreed initially to try 15 each side of centre, and that will be reviewed in due course in the normal way.