Thank you to the Australian Airports Association for inviting me to speak today at your national conference.

It’s wonderful to be back on the Gold Coast again.

I begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land the Yugambeh people. I pay my respects to their Elders, past and present and I extend this respect to all First Nations people joining us today.

I also acknowledge:

• Kym Meys, Chair of the Australian Airports Association

• Simon Westaway, CEO of the Australian Airports Association

• Amelia Evans, CEO of Queensland Airports Limited

• And all distinguished guests here today

We are now heading into the busiest aviation period of the year. Australia’s airports, large and small, are about to enable many family reunions, holiday adventures, tourism visits, and end-of-year work travel.

So, before anything else, I want to say thank you. Thank you to the people who keep this critical sector running. From the airport operators, ground handlers, security teams, air traffic controllers, airline workers, and all the professionals represented by the Australian Airports Association. Your efforts ensure that Australians can travel safely, efficiently, and confidently. Not just during the holidays, but all year round.

Our Government has an unashamedly ambitious Infrastructure agenda. Ambitious but achievable. And it’s all about connection.

Connecting cities and regions, connecting business, connecting Australia to the rest of the world…connecting communities. And at the centre, are our airports, and the aviation sector.

When the Government released our Aviation White Paper, we made clear our commitment to creating a sector that is resilient, competitive, sustainable and puts the travelling public at its centre. Over the past year, we’ve taken major steps towards delivering on those commitments, and many of those steps have been taken hand in hand with the people in this room.

Today I want to talk through the progress we’ve made, the work underway, and the partnership we need to shape the aviation sector Australians deserve.

But I acknowledge it hasn’t always been easy in recent years. I want to take this opportunity to thank those of you from airports which Rex services. As you know, we’ve been working hard with the administrators to keep Rex in the air, especially for our regional communities.

In November, the Government outlined the financing arrangements to support by Air T’s proposal to the administrators as part of its bid to acquire Rex. We’ve said that we will restructure Rex’s existing debt to the Australian Government. This ensures regional communities across Australia remain connected, but there are very clear expectations and commitments that go with this investment. These commitments will help to maintain essential regional aviation connections while also improving governance for the organisation.

Importantly, the Government will retain its security over all Rex’s aircraft to protect the taxpayer’s contribution. Last month, we also announced the establishment of a new $5 million program for local governments with regional and remote airports that supported Rex through the voluntary administration process. I have met with Air T directors and I look forward to their entry into the Australian aviation ecosystem. I am sure you will all make them welcome.

Airports are not just critical infrastructure, you are economic enablers, emergency services bases, lifelines for medical care, and anchors for regional development. Whether its runway resurfacing, new lighting, or terminal upgrades, we have, as a government, been investing in you.  

Earlier this year, I announced $24.9 million of funding across 45 successful projects under the Regional Airports Program. In October, 42 successful projects receiving just under $25 million were announced under the Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program. These projects were spread across the country, from Streaky Bay on the west coast of South Australia to the Forsyth Airstrip managed by Etheridge Shire Council in Queensland—where the funding will help with the installation of animal exclusion fencing.

This year we have delivered the new runway upgrade at Hobart Airport, the new international terminal at Newcastle Airport, runway upgrades at Whyalla Airport, and redevelopment work has continued on the Launceston RFDS facilities.

And as planning minister, I have approved the Melbourne Airport Third Runway, new hangars at Bankstown and Canberra Airports, Airfield upgrades and an expansion to the Woolworths Distribution Centre at Perth Airport, an Aeromedical Base at Brisbane Airport and most recently a new commercial kitchen at Hobart Airport, among others.

And we have built a whole new airport in Western Sydney, supported by a $5.3 billion investment from the Australian Government. This airport is no longer a concept or a proposal. It’s real.

And I confess, standing on site, watching the first 737 jet land at the end of October gave me goosebumps. And an enormous sense of pride.

The Western Sydney International Airport will be a catalyst for growth with opportunities stretching far beyond the city and indeed the region. While we’re starting carefully, with a gradual ramp-up, this airport will accommodate 10 million passengers by 2033, providing a major boost to international travel and trade.

We’re now changing gear from construction to operations. And we’re on track for the first freight flights to depart by the middle of next year, with passenger services to follow later in 2026.

The terminal is already complete with testing and commissioning well underway. And of course, safety, remains the number one priority. Emergency services response capacity is being reviewed as is the baggage and freight handling systems.

We all know the impact airports can have on surrounding communities. Considerable effort has gone into understanding and reducing potential community impacts. These efforts will continue up to and beyond airport opening. Over $500 million has been injected into the local economy, with contracts awarded to 360 Western Sydney businesses and the potential for major long-term employment opportunities in the region.

There is still much to be done but I want to recognise the efforts of those here today who have been part of this Western Sydney International Airport story along the way. It’s a remarkable project and will once again place Australia on the world stage for excellence and innovation in aviation.

Beyond our borders, we’ve also focused our efforts on strengthening our international market partnerships.

We now have 110 bilateral air services arrangements in place, with the successful negotiation of updated and new air service agreements with over ten countries in the past two years. As an island nation, these agreements facilitate international travel to and from Australia with large tourism and trade markets.

In September 2025, we were able to agree an updated bilateral air services arrangement with the Philippines, that will double the available passenger capacity to 70 services per week by October 2026. From next year, we will be able to welcome an unrestricted capacity for passenger services from Malaysia and Canada. This is on top of recent capacity increases with Hong Kong, the first increase in more than two decades, as well as with Chile and Türkiye, and new agreements with Latvia, Mongolia and Rwanda.

We’re creating room now to allow for the future growth in demand. It’s a measured approach to allow time for adequate planning. But the benefits will be worth it.

As we grow our reach in new and existing markets, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, the potential for tourism and trade is substantial.  And as we expand our connections with the world through the bilaterals, we’re building a bigger front door through the Western Sydney International Airport.

Which brings me to the experience of the individual traveller.

Your experience from the minute you arrive at the airport—good, bad or otherwise, really matters. It not only impacts the person with the boarding pass but also the brand perception of that airport, and the broader aviation industry.

Currently, there are no national standards to determine what remedies passengers are entitled to receive in the event of delays or worse, cancellation. It’s why we’re introducing new aviation consumer protections, including an Aviation Consumer Ombuds Scheme.

Public consultation on a new aviation consumer protection framework and an updated Aviation Consumer Protections Charter concluded in October. And we will be legislating the new scheme next year.

Together, these initiatives will help us progress the design and implementation of aviation consumer protections. And it will ensure airlines and airports abide by the new minimum standards because everyone will know exactly what the expectations are.

Let me tell you, my office receives regular feedback from people who are frustrated about not knowing who or how to follow up after their plane has been delayed or luggage damaged. This is important work—lifting the standards of passenger experience in Australia. But it’s also about getting the right balance. We don’t want to see the price of airline tickets skyrocket, especially given the size of the market here. And it underpins why public and industry consultation matters.

It’s not only good for travellers but also for airports giving you clarity and consistently around expectations which has been missing. Which is why I am so pleased to see so much of this conference program dedicated to exploring the passenger experience, community connectiveness and co-designing with targeted groups.

Which brings me to accessibility. And the air travelling experience for all Australians. As you know, we’re creating new aviation-specific disability standards. It’s another key area identified in the Aviation White Paper. The standards will set out responsibilities for airports and airlines.

This is critical in making sure that services are coordinated to support the journey of passengers with disability.

Because this cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach, we implemented a co-design process with people with disability to develop the standards.

This work has been guided by an Aviation Accessibility Steering Committee, workshops with people with disability and four guiding principles for addressing barriers to air travel for people with disability.

They are:

• Including people with disability directly in the design of any policy, procedure or infrastructure that impacts their travel experience.

• Being consistent so that passengers with disability know what they can expect at each airport and from each airline on every journey.

• Being transparent by providing clear information on the support available for passengers who require assistance, and how passengers can expect this service to be delivered.

• And finally, ensuring regular, high-quality training for all staff, the value of which cannot be underestimated, and which will help to create a culture of accessibility

I want to thank all those who have been supporting the co-design process to date. Many in the aviation industry have met with co-design partners, attended co-design workshops to provide technical input, provided information about airport and airline policies and procedures, and hosted airport walkthroughs or workshops. A consultation paper will be released in the coming months with draft options for the new standards. I will welcome your continuing input to these draft standards.

I also want to address one of the most transformative long-term priorities: developing a sustainable aviation fuel industry in Australia. Our work with the aviation industry towards net zero is ramping up. In September 2025, we announced a $1.1 billion investment into the Cleaner Fuels Program to support the production of low carbon liquid fuels or LCLFs in Australia. This will ensure we have strong supply chains for the more sustainable fuels that can power our aircraft going forward.

LCLF production will directly support the Net Zero Plan, helping to decarbonise hard-to-electrify transport modes such as long-haul aviation. Consultation is currently underway on the design of the Cleaner Fuels Program, with the Policy Design and Engagement paper released on 13 November. Submissions are open until 19 December 2025, and I encourage you all to review the paper and provide us with your feedback. 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic the aviation sector has had its fair share of challenges. But there is now a real sense of optimism, especially as we start to bring the initiatives from the Aviation White Paper to reality.

So, what does 2026 hold for Australia’s airports?

•  New legislated consumer protections

•  An aviation consumer ombuds scheme

•  New disability standards for air travel

And of course, a new international airport in Western Sydney.

So, thank you for all that you do in ensuring the unique role that our airports play in the aviation industry is well positioned to thrive for many decades ahead. You are also part of Australia’s broader transport and infrastructure ecosystem. It’s an intricate, complex, growing network that keeps Australia, and Australians, moving and connected—safely.

I know this is a big week with your national conference and the Women in Airports Forum. What a great way to finish the year—by celebrating all your achievements. And good luck to those of you in contention for a 2025 National Airport Industry Award tomorrow night. I hear the standard of entries this year has been outstanding.

The future for Australia’s aviation industry looks bright.  I look forward to continuing to work with you over the coming year. Together, we will take the initiatives of the Aviation White Paper and make our airports, and air travel stronger, safer and more accessible for everyone. Because the air is now the universal highway.

Thank you.