Page 1324 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 5 May 2015

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video


proud Canberra institution in the coming years. Under the leadership of Professor Parker and with the support of the territory government, the university continues to grow and prosper.

During my recent visit to China, I was delighted to join Professor Parker as he renewed an agreement with Renmin University in Beijing, our sister city, reaffirming a commitment to their student articulation program, to staff exchanges and to their joint research collaboration.

In closing, Madam Assistant Speaker, let me be very clear: the ACT government will continue to actively support the development and growth of the higher education sector in Canberra. The University of Canberra is a massive part of our future as an innovative and attractive destination for the best students, the best thinkers and the best teachers across the world’s universities. This government will deliver on that promise for this city.

Canberra Airport Pty Ltd—memorandum of understanding

Paper and statement by minister

MR BARR (Molonglo—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Urban Renewal and Minister for Tourism and Events): For the information of members, I present the following paper:

Memorandum of Understanding between the Australian Capital Territory and Canberra Airport Pty Ltd, dated 8 April 2015.

I seek leave to make a statement in relation to the paper.

Leave granted.

MR BARR: For the information of members, I table the revised memorandum of understanding between the ACT government and Canberra Airport. Canberra Airport has a significant role to play as a regional gateway and as a generator of investment and employment in our city. In recognition of the airport’s significant role, on Wednesday, 8 April I joined with the managing director of Canberra International Airport, Mr Stephen Byron, to formally sign the revised MOU.

This revised MOU reinforces the ongoing positive and collaborative relationship that the territory government enjoys with the airport and reflects the ongoing joint commitment to market our city as a destination of choice and as a transport hub to airlines, to increase visitors, both domestic and international, in our key markets, to increase opportunities for the export of products and services from Canberra and the surrounding region, to attract new air services that will help grow the ACT and the surrounding regional economy and to create hundreds of new jobs for our city.

The practical benefits of our joint commitment are demonstrated, for example, in the recent QantasLink announcement that it will bring 40 new high tech engineering jobs to Canberra by relocating the heavy maintenance requirement for the entire 717 fleet of 18 aircraft to the ACT. The estimated value of the new arrangement to the ACT


Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video