MERYL SWANSON MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR PATERSON SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR DEFENCE This week Port Stephens will hold its breath in anticipation to see if the Prime Minister will put playing politics aside and deliver on a once in a generation opportunity for our region. I am, of course, meaning the Newcastle Airport runway upgrade. The Code E civilan runway upgrade at Wiliamtown will be a game-changer for the region, opening up endless possibiities and securing a $12.7 bilion economic benefit tor our region through increased freight and stimulation of the visitor economy. This project will deliver more than 4,000 full-time jobs and ensure many more with indirect employment and tourism growth. For many years the Hunter Business community and I have been championing this project, hoping the government will commit to it. Unfortunately, despite many representations from myself and much media pressure, the Coalition government have been reluctant to see value in Investing in critical intrastructure across the Hunter. The rumway is owned, operated and controlled by the RAAF, undertaking significant maintenance remediation commencing in the coming months. As a stand-alone project, a Code E upgrade would cost a minimum of $150 million. However, if this is done in conjunction with this maintenance work, the saving will be more than $75 million, with the efficiencies gained being vast. Given this, the next opportunity to significantly upgrade the airport's capability and unlock billions of dollars in economic potential would not occur again until the next resurfacing project beyond 2040. In many of my meetings and representations about this project, I have continued to call for this project to bi-partisan. This is a good opportunity for the govemment to be part of infrastructure investment that has so sorely been missing over the past eight years. Rather than spending millions on pork barrelling. sports rorts and acquisition of land for ten times its value, why not commit to bulding nation bulding projects like this. The economic future of Australia depends upon the diligent management and development of our regions. Well, here's an opportunity for the government to deliver something of real future benefit. The people of the Hunter won't tolerate being dudded in the budget. When it comes to our economy, the government needs to support projects like the Runway upgrade that more than stack up on merit and opportunity. The benefits of this project will be feit across the economy by multiple sector for many years to come. Additionally, many across our region will be aware of the outcome of the recent Royal Commission into Aged Care the government can no more prolong action for older Australians. The PM must make the necessary investments and regulation in the aged care sector to ensure older Australians aren't being left behind. This budget can't gamble on the future of Older Australians and it can't continue to be so city-centric. Regional towns like ours are growing at a vast pace. Governments of al levels need to be future proofing our regions and the treasurer must be investing in critical intrastructure beyond the metropolitan areas. Regional NSW is not fit for future, and this budget is a critical opportunity for us to get regions back on track. T. 02 4083 2401 E. merylswanson.mpeaph.gov.au 35 Sturgeon Street, Raymond Terrace 2324 ALP Reymontr Temace MERYL SWANSON MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR PATERSON SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR DEFENCE This week Port Stephens will hold its breath in anticipation to see if the Prime Minister will put playing politics aside and deliver on a once in a generation opportunity for our region. I am, of course, meaning the Newcastle Airport runway upgrade. The Code E civilan runway upgrade at Wiliamtown will be a game-changer for the region, opening up endless possibiities and securing a $12.7 bilion economic benefit tor our region through increased freight and stimulation of the visitor economy. This project will deliver more than 4,000 full-time jobs and ensure many more with indirect employment and tourism growth. For many years the Hunter Business community and I have been championing this project, hoping the government will commit to it. Unfortunately, despite many representations from myself and much media pressure, the Coalition government have been reluctant to see value in Investing in critical intrastructure across the Hunter. The rumway is owned, operated and controlled by the RAAF, undertaking significant maintenance remediation commencing in the coming months. As a stand-alone project, a Code E upgrade would cost a minimum of $150 million. However, if this is done in conjunction with this maintenance work, the saving will be more than $75 million, with the efficiencies gained being vast. Given this, the next opportunity to significantly upgrade the airport's capability and unlock billions of dollars in economic potential would not occur again until the next resurfacing project beyond 2040. In many of my meetings and representations about this project, I have continued to call for this project to bi-partisan. This is a good opportunity for the govemment to be part of infrastructure investment that has so sorely been missing over the past eight years. Rather than spending millions on pork barrelling. sports rorts and acquisition of land for ten times its value, why not commit to bulding nation bulding projects like this. The economic future of Australia depends upon the diligent management and development of our regions. Well, here's an opportunity for the government to deliver something of real future benefit. The people of the Hunter won't tolerate being dudded in the budget. When it comes to our economy, the government needs to support projects like the Runway upgrade that more than stack up on merit and opportunity. The benefits of this project will be feit across the economy by multiple sector for many years to come. Additionally, many across our region will be aware of the outcome of the recent Royal Commission into Aged Care the government can no more prolong action for older Australians. The PM must make the necessary investments and regulation in the aged care sector to ensure older Australians aren't being left behind. This budget can't gamble on the future of Older Australians and it can't continue to be so city-centric. Regional towns like ours are growing at a vast pace. Governments of al levels need to be future proofing our regions and the treasurer must be investing in critical intrastructure beyond the metropolitan areas. Regional NSW is not fit for future, and this budget is a critical opportunity for us to get regions back on track. T. 02 4083 2401 E. merylswanson.mpeaph.gov.au 35 Sturgeon Street, Raymond Terrace 2324 ALP Reymontr Temace