HELICOPTER FLYING HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS
The Hon. R. S. L. JONES: I ask the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Minister for Tourism and Minister Assisting the Premier, representing the Minister for Transport and Minister for Roads, a question without notice. Is it a fact that the Helicopter Association of Australia has falsely led Parliament to believe that the lifting of the flight height from 500 feet to 1,000 feet that it has requested will protect many suburbs from increased noise, but will only be able to proceed if the Pyrmont heliport goes ahead? Is it a fact that the Environment Protection Authority has reiterated that such a proposal will only proceed if agreed to by the EPA and the Civil Aviation Authority working party, which will report in June and is quite independent of the heliport matter?
The Hon. VIRGINIA CHADWICK: I thank the honourable member for what is not so much a question as a reiteration of the honourable member's beliefs about and opposition to the heliport. This is a matter that the honourable member has had ample opportunity to debate; indeed he did so at some length in this House. The Government has an alternative view to that of the honourable member and the heights and applications for approval of any given heights were the subject of considerable debate in this House not so long ago.
[Interruption]
As the Hon. D. F. Moppett so aptly interjected, there are no second prizes. The honourable member is clearly entitled to his view and is also entitled to have me refer that question to my colleague the Minister for Transport, and I will do so.