EMIRATES AIRLINES

Mrs VLAHOS (Taylor) (14:08): Can the Premier inform the house of any progress in the government's efforts to attract new airlines to South Australia?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Can we have some quiet, please; I can hardly hear.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Minister for State Development) (14:09): I thank the honourable member for this question, and I am delighted to inform the house of a new era for South Australia which will begin in a few hours' time. I understand that the first flight, Emirates EK440 departing Dubai, is currently in the air and, at last check, is going to arrive in Adelaide at 9pm. For the next three months, there will be an Emirates connection—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: For the next three months, there will be an Emirates connection between Adelaide and the world four times a week. From February, it will be daily.

Emirates is the world's fastest-growing airline. It already has 130 destinations worldwide. Its choice to connect Adelaide directly to its network is a decisive recognition of our outstanding and expanding connections with the world. Emirates is not doing it by halves. Not only is it moving to daily connections in three months' time but it is also using the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft for its flight here, and I am advised that these will be the biggest aircraft to service Adelaide.

What is more, the recent code-sharing agreement between Emirates and Qantas will mean that Adelaide will be directly linked by international flights to all of the destinations of both airlines from 1 April, regardless of whether the booking is with Emirates or Qantas. It will make Adelaide and South Australia much more accessible for business people from the Middle East and Europe, with Emirates' global network adding a number of cities you can fly to with only one stop.

This is something we have been working towards for some time. It is a vindication of the directions this government has set for creating the best possible future for South Australia. Emirates has choices, and it has made the positive choice to make Adelaide one of its destinations. Apart from improving our connection to the world—and I know the leader is very keen to talk South Australia down; that is all we hear her do—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Can members stop talking across the chamber, please?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Apart from improving our connection to the world, this decision will also bring great benefit to South Australians here at home. The South Australian Tourism Commission estimates that daily Emirates flights will bring $40 million a year into the state's economy in direct spending and it is expected to generate in the order of 200 new jobs. I am looking forward to spending some time with the senior representatives of Emirates tomorrow.

The fact that they have taken the trouble to mark this new beginning by coming here on the first Emirates flight to Adelaide confirms the significance of their decision and their commitment to Adelaide. It is a vote of confidence in South Australia and a vote of confidence in the directions that we have set for the state. This is a very exciting day for South Australia.