Mr MURPHY (1:57 PM) —The 420-page draft report by the Productivity Commission titled Priceregulationofairportservices released last Friday further demonstrates the absolute contempt and dishonesty of the Howard government in its determination to sell off Sydney airport for the maximum billions of dollars and at the same time failing to honour its promises to fix Sydney's airport noise problems. Further, the conduct of another of the government's servile agents, the ACCC, has also demonstrated that the entire strategy from the government is to direct all financial, environmental and ministerial imperatives towards fattening the lamb for the kill to maximise the sale price of Sydney airport. As a member of this House for nearly three years, I have witnessed the public interest being totally slaughtered by the conduct of this government in its promotion of the Precision Runway Monitor system, TAAATS, changes to the slot system and so forth, while unanimous public interest factors were torpedoed.

The ACCC has ruled that Sydney's aeronautical charges should be split from non-aeronautical charges, thus enabling a split-till system whereby the prospective airport lessee companies can increase revenue in light of the fact that I understand some 60 per cent of airport revenues over the next 50 years will come from the shopping centres, restaurants, car park and other businesses associated with Sydney airport. This government's conduct over the sale of Sydney airport is criminal and the airport must not be sold until the relief of aircraft noise is guaranteed for the people of Sydney.