Advance Cairns has welcomed the announcement on Thursday, May 1st by the State Treasurer, The Hon Minister Andrew Fraser MP, as a positive start to an ongoing dialogue between the region and the government concerning the Cairns Airport privatisation.

Minister Fraser announced the extension of all airport employee protections for two years beyond the sale process and funding for both Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Advance Cairns.

 The Minister also signalled that the future provision of general aviation services will not be excluded in the sale process. These issues were amongst many raised by a delegation representing TNQ to the Treasurer last week and Advance Cairns Chairman, Russell Beer anticipates further lobbying of the state government on the matter.

“We are encouraged by the Ministers response to the issues raised by the Advance Cairns delegation”, said Mr Beer, “and we will now focus on achieving positive outcomes for the remaining areas of concern from the airport sale”.

Advance Cairns and its constituent organisations will liaise with local MP’s and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the region’s economic growth and infrastructure is provided for throughout the sale process.