Geoff Lyons (Bass, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to applaud the recent announcement by Jetstar that it will increase its flights into Tasmania. I would like to particularly applaud the announcement of seven additional flights per week to Launceston from 16 August. In November this year, a further seven flights per week between Launceston and Sydney will also be added to Jetstar's flying schedule. This is good news for the tourism industry in Northern Tasmania and for the state as a whole. It will mean that it is easier for people to travel to our wonderful state, with increased flexibility in flights and greater access to our state. I am sure that Northern Tasmanian tourism industries will also join me in applauding this decision to add additional flights into Launceston, especially over the peak tourism periods. The availability of flights with low-cost airlines, such as Jetstar, is strong reassurance for our local tourism industry and businesses. The increased access to the state will assist in boosting confidence in Tasmania for the unique and easily accessible holiday destination that it is. Boosting confidence is important, as our budget support for families does. Labor cares for families and we do care for boosting confidence in communities.