EMIRATES AIRLINES

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (14:56): I have a supplementary question. In light of the decision by Emirates to introduce flights to South Australia, has the minister or the government had any discussions with Qantas, which does appear to almost neglect Adelaide in its international routes?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (14:56): I thank the member for his most important question. Indeed, it is not just international airlines that South Australia has had negotiations with: we have also had discussions with our own internal, domestic airlines—they are all important to us. The lack of direct flights from Tasmania and New Zealand, for instance, is quite irksome. Those are areas that we think we could and should be doing much better with. We continue that dialogue and continue those negotiations.

It is an extremely tough environment at the moment, particularly in relation to domestic travel. We have found that with the softness of the dollar people are more inclined to travel overseas than from overseas to Australia. It is a very tough climate, and we know that the aviation industry generally, both domestically and internationally, is suffering a really tough time.

Nevertheless, we continue those negotiations, and I think what it does point to is how incredibly successful South Australia has been in this very challenging climate to have achieved increased direct flights from both Singapore Airlines and Emirates airlines within a fairly short period of time, albeit those negotiations have obviously been undertaken for some time. In spite of the difficult climate, we have been able to achieve that very successful outcome. We are certainly not going to stop there. We continue to negotiate with as many airlines as we possibly can that might have an interest in direct flights here to Adelaide.