Senator PAYNE (2:48 PM) —My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Senator Conroy. I refer the minister to the decision of the government, announced in the green paper of 2 December last year, to exclude Badgerys Creek as a potential site for Sydney’s second airport. Can the government now provide a guarantee to residents of the Sydney basin that it has also ruled out Kurnell, Holsworthy army base and Richmond as potential sites for a second airport?

Senator CONROY (Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) —I will attempt to give you as much information as I have at this stage, Senator Payne. While approving the 2009 Sydney Airport Master Plan, the government made it clear that Sydney will require new airport capacity in the future. The process of identifying additional airport capacity needs to be considered in the context of strategic transport planning for the Sydney region. The Australian government has invited the New South Wales government to participate in a joint study to assess options, potential sites and investment strategies for additional airport capacity for the Sydney region. This joint study will also consider ways to improve the public transport links and roadways to Kingsford Smith airport and, in due course, the potential second Sydney airport. It will also consider the future of the Badgerys Creek site, given the government has ruled it out as an option for a second Sydney airport. I will not be speculating on possible sites for a second airport. If there is any further information that the minister is able to provide in answering the question, I will seek it and get it to you as fast as possible.

Senator PAYNE —Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Can the minister please advise what the final terms of reference are for the joint study and can the minister please explain why a reference in the 2007 platform of the Australian Labor Party ruling out a second airport inside the Sydney basin has been removed from the Australian Labor Party’s 2009 platform?

Opposition senators interjecting—

Senator Carr —Are you looking for a policy?

Senator CONROY (Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) —That is right. Senator Minchin, any time you want to go there, the address is www.dbcde.gov.au. Senator Payne, I am happy to seek any further information from the minister in answer to those questions and come back to you as soon as possible.

Senator PAYNE —I thank the minister very much for the undertaking as to further information and I ask a further supplementary question. Can the minister also advise whether it is the government’s policy that the provisions of the long-term operating plan for Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport only apply to aircraft flying below a certain height and only to certain airspace around the airport and whether the government believes it is acceptable for families to be consistently disturbed by significant amounts of aircraft noise?

Senator CONROY (Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) —I have no further information on that matter. It is quite specific, and I am sure you understand. Again, I am happy to take that on notice and provide you with any information that is available from the minister.