AUSTRALIA’s aviation industry – including manufacturers and service companies – now has easier and cheaper access to the lucrative United States aviation market, after the signing of amendments to the bilateral aviation agreement.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the amendments would be a significant benefit to Australian aviation parts and products designers and manufacturers. Mr Chester said the changes would also benefit Australian companies and individuals who export aircraft and aircraft products to the US.

“There are more than 40 Australian aviation design organisations and more than 80 aviation production organisations that will have lower costs and less red tape when exporting to the US market,” Mr Chester said.

“A range of Australian design and manufacturing approvals will now be accepted in the US without the need for additional and sometimes costly work.

“People and organisations wanting to sell their aircraft into the US should have fewer regulatory hurdles to contend with.

“These amendments save money and streamline regulatory requirements without in any way compromising safety standards.

“I know that many large and small aviation organisations have been eagerly awaiting these changes so they can make greater inroads into the huge US aviation market.”

The amendments have been made to the Implementation Procedures on Airworthiness made under the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement between Australian and the US.

www.infrastructure.gov.au/transport

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PARLIAMENT’s Northern Australia Committee will hold public hearings in the Northern Territory on Sunday 23 July, Monday 24 July, and Thursday 27 July 2017 at Yulara, Alice Springs, and Darwin as part of its inquiry into Opportunities and Methods for Stimulating the Tourism Industry in Northern Australia.

The Northern Territory is home to three of the most well-known tourism icons in the world—Uluru/Kata Tjuta National Park, Kakadu National Park, and Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge). The Territory has many other attractions and a wealth of untapped tourism potential. The Committee will hear evidence from the Northern Territory Government, a range of tourism operators, national parks officials, and traditional owners.

The Committee Chair, Warren Entsch MP, said Northern Australia has many places with great tourism potential, but which are generally unknown to the travelling public.

“As the bitumen rolls out on many of the northern roads, drive tourists will follow, eager to experience the beauty of Northern Australia,” he said.  

“The Committee has learned that cultural tourism is high on the wish list of many international tourists, but there is relatively little on offer when they arrive.

“While much effort is spent on promoting Australia’s tourism icons to the world, there needs to be a corresponding emphasis on developing new tourism businesses especially in cultural tourism and especially in regional and remote Australia,” Mr Entsch said.

Public hearing details:

3:15 pm to 5:45 pm, Sunday 23 July, Wanari Room, Uluru Meeting Place (adjacent to Sails in the Desert Hotel), Yulara Drive, Yulara

1:00 pm to 4:45 pm, Monday 24 July, Andy McNeill Room, Civic Centre Complex, 93 Todd Street, Alice Springs

8:00 am to 3:20 pm, Thursday 27 July, Litchfield Room, NT Legislative Assembly, Mitchell Street, Darwin

The hearing will be broadcast live  (audio only) at aph.gov.au/live

The hearing program and further information about the Committee’s inquiry, including submissions and the terms of reference, is available on the Committee’s website: www.aph.gov.au/jscna.

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THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the state government’s ongoing commitment to the development of the mineral rich North West Minerals Province as a major driver of prosperity in North Queensland.

QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the targeted incentives announced by Minister Lynham would encourage investment and deliver jobs for regional communities.

“The QRC commends the Palaszczuk government on its proactive and consultative approach by working with industry, local government, unions and the community to ensure all stakeholders were considered in mapping out this blueprint for the North West,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Locating a hyperspectral logger in Mount Isa at the government’s existing drill core facility is an excellent initiative. It’s a simple practical approach that can deliver cost savings and efficiencies for explorers in the region.

“Already one of the world’s largest zinc companies Teck has been granted a tenure to explore 102km2 near Cloncurry which would be a huge short in the arm for the local economy.”

Newly appointed Queensland Exploration Council (QEC) Chairman, Brad John said the blueprint would attract investors both domestically and from overseas.

“It was pleasing to see the Minister announce an investor forum in Townsville which recognises the significant level of economic activity that is driven out of the North West and the Port of Townsville,” Mr John said.

The state’s North West has the potential to unearth vast amounts of copper, zinc and gold which are the minerals used in new technologies including batteries, mobile phones and solar panels.

“Last year the QRC launched its ‘Resourcing Innovation’ campaign about the importance of minerals for new cutting edge technologies and the state’s contribution to the future of these technologies could be secured with the North West,” Mr Macfarlane said.

The blueprint includes the Resources Development (Royalties) Policy and builds on the work of the Collaborative Drilling Initiative. In previous years this initiative had been a staggering technical success for exploration, specifically the discovery of mineral occurrences in Queensland.

www.qrc.org.au

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