The 2021 ?-22 Federal Budget locks in record support for the aviation industry, backing the sector to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Budget also pursued initiatives and policy measures to ensure Australia’s aviation industry thrives across domestic and international markets.
“The NSW Nationals in the federal government have supported the sector through the worst of the pandemic by guaranteeing minimum connectivity, particularly to regional communities, through our Domestic and Regional Network Support programs, RANS and DANS,” Mr McCormack said.
“We know that planes in the air mean jobs on the ground, including in the tourism industry, which has been particularly hard hit by COVID-19 pandemic and that’s why we’ve invested so heavily to support our local industries.
“We are also laying the foundations for new jobs and aviation services with the release of the National Emerging Aviation Technologies (NEAT) Policy Statement.”
Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister Kevin Hogan said the NSW Nationals in the federal government would release a Five Year Plan for Aviation later in the year to chart a course for aviation from response, through recovery, to repositioning the sector for the long term.
“The Government will support individuals and businesses to harness the opportunities offered by digital aviation technologies such as drones, advanced air mobility (AAM) and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles,” Mr Hogan said.
“I am also particularly pleased our investments in aviation are proving enormously successful in driving tourism demand for interstate travel, supporting jobs and having an economic multiplier effect, as travellers spend money on accommodation, food and activities in local regions.
“Importantly, the Government has also acted quickly to subsidise fixed costs associated with fuel excise, domestic security, Airservices Australia charges and Ex-Gratia Land Tax.”
For more information, visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/aviation.
