Senator O'Brien asked the Minister representing the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 13 April 1999:

(1) Did the Minister issue a ministerial direction with respect to the Precision Approach Radar Monitoring (PRM) system at Sydney Airport; if so, when and what was the nature of that direction; if not, does the Minister intend to issue a ministerial direction in respect of the PRM system.

(2) When does the Minister anticipate the testing of the PRM system, currently under way for aircraft movements over Botany Bay, will be completed.

(3) When did those trials commence.

(4) (a) When did testing of the PRM system for aircraft movements to the north commence; and (b) when were those trials suspended.

(5) Is it the Government's intention that the PRM system be implemented before the full implementation and completion of the Long Term Operating Plan at Sydney Airport; if so, why; if not, why not.

Senator Ian Macdonald (Regional Services, Territories and Local Government) —The Minister for Transport and Regional Services has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) No. I have informed the Chairman of Airservices Australia that, should Airservices Australia decide to proceed with the implementation of the Precision Runway Monitor (PRM) system in the Runway 16 direction (from the north), it should seek designation as the proponent for PRM operations in the Runway 16 direction in accordance with the Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974.

(2) Airservices Australia advises that the validation trial was completed during May for arrivals in the Runway 34 direction (from the south over Botany Bay).

(3) Airservices Australia advises that the validation trial commenced on 17 February 1999.

(4) (a) and (b) There have been no PRM trials for arrivals in the Runway 16 direction (from the north).

(5) The Government has made it clear that there will be no operation of the PRM in the Runway 16 (from the north) direction until an assessment pursuant to the Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act has been completed and the community has been fully consulted.