In respect of the Government’s Aviation Green Paper released in December 2008 and his associated media release of 19 June 2009: (a) has he commenced a site investigation process for a second Sydney airport, in conjunction with the New South Wales Government; (b) given that the Australian Labor Party (ALP) National Platform specifically rules out a second Sydney airport from being developed within the Sydney Basin, and the consultation draft National Platform to be considered at the 2009 ALP National Conference has removed this requirement, will the Government still consider building a second airport within the Sydney Basin; and (c) in respect of aviation policy, what is the Government’s interpretation of the Sydney Basin.

The Federal Government has invited the NSW Government to participate in a joint study to assess options, identify potential sites and evaluate investment strategies for delivering additional airport capacity for Sydney.

The final terms of reference for the joint study will be released later this year as part of the National Aviation White Paper.

Until the findings of the joint study are delivered, the Australian Government is not going to speculate on possible sites for a second Sydney airport.