Sarah Henderson (Corangamite, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to report some very good news for the people of Corangamite. After much uncertainty, Jetstar has committed to maintaining its operations at Avalon Airport until at least April 2015. The Victorian government is to be congratulated on its investment of $5.5 million in Jetstar's operations at Avalon. I also pay tribute to the Linfox group and Jetstar, which have contributed $2.75 million each.

The consequences of Qantas's walking away from Avalon would have been disastrous. Enterprise Geelong has estimated that Jetstar's departure would lead to a reduction in local economic output of some $87 million. Avalon Airport is so important to our region's economy for jobs and for tourism. The previous Labor government's failure to approve an international airline flying into Avalon back in 2008 was one of Labor's worst decisions for our region in recent times.

Last week I had joined the Mayor of the City of Greater Geelong, Darryn Lyons, to call on Jetstar to offer our community a 12-month reprieve on any decision to walk away. Linfox is working very hard to secure international flights and to grow the airport's potential. I now call on the people of my electorate and all Victorians to get behind Jetstar at Avalon. For the sake of our community, we must secure Avalon's long-term future.