Newcastle Airport, Norfolk Island

08-August-2011

Mr CRAIG BAUMANN (Port Stephens—Parliamentary Secretary) [1.00 p.m.]: Today I inform members about recent developments at the State's greatest piece of regional transport infrastructure—Newcastle Airport. In recent results from the Airport Council International Airport Service Quality Program, an international regional airport survey, Newcastle Airport was ranked amongst the best in the world. The survey results are based on an average passenger's on-the-day experience at airports all around the world that have fewer than two million passengers annually. The joint owners, Newcastle City Council and Port Stephens Council, are proud of this community-owned asset as Newcastle Airport's results indicate that the airport is performing above the overall regional airport average for customer service standards. In the period from October 2010 to February 2011 Newcastle Airport ranked in the top 10 internationally for nine airport terminal services.

Of particular note, the airport ranked fifth for the delivery of customer service at the security screening point and sixth for internet access and wi-fi, which is provided free of charge at Newcastle Airport. Victoria and I recently experienced this exemplary service when we boarded a direct flight to Norfolk Island to spend a week in what truly is a marvellous place. With its quiet sheltered beaches, unique flora and fauna, friendly and accommodating people and fascinating history, I encourage everyone to visit. If members want a preview they should visit Port Stephens before they fly out. Discovered by Captain Cook in 1774, Norfolk Island was settled just six weeks after Governor Philip raised the flag just down the road from Parliament House. The first settlement was abandoned a few years later in 1814 and little remains of that settlement.
In 1824 Governor Brisbane was instructed to occupy Norfolk Island as a place to send "the worst description of convicts" and during the next 30 years the magnificent stone buildings, many of which are still there today, were built. The convicts, all of whom were male, suffered brutally and eventually lived in depravity, but they left a legacy of many magnificent buildings, most of which have been restored and are occupied today. The surviving convicts were transported to Tasmania in 1855 and in 1856 the Pitcairn Islanders were given Norfolk by Queen Victoria. Anyone who has researched the Bounty mutiny will recognise many of the surnames, both in the cemetery and of course amongst the current population. I was fortunate enough to meet Bryan Griffiths, a New Zealand dental surgeon, who signed a three-year contract seven years ago. I should mention that Bryan is addressed as Griff by everyone and the Norfolk Island telephone book has an index based on nicknames.
Griff took Victoria and I on a tour of the local hospital—a well-equipped hospital with friendly professional staff. The hospital has a fantastic relationship with Hunter New England Health, and Victoria recognised the ultrasound machine as one she calibrated as part of her university thesis a few years ago. I should add that Victoria immediately volunteered her services as a radiographer-sonographer locum if one was required. Griff introduced me to the Hon. Tim Sheridan, the Minister for Community Services in the Norfolk Parliament. Tim is one of nine elected members of Parliament and one of three Ministers. The Parliament is located in the old military barracks, one of the magnificent original second settlement sandstone buildings, along with a very modern courtroom, although for an island that has virtually no crime—probably because it does not have too many lawyers—the court seems superfluous.
When Janelle Patton was murdered in 2002, it was Norfolk Island's first murder since 1893. Griff told me that recently when he left the residence he had rented for his first six years on the island, the owner found the door keys in exactly the same jar in which he had left them for Griff when he moved in. Tourism is Norfolk Island's main industry. Norfolk Island is an Australian territory and thus is duty free. Our Norfolk Air 737 landed at a modern airport, first constructed by the Americans in World War II. We took a Bounty tour with Pitcairn descendant Steve Borg, or "Borgy". Borgy hosted a fascinating tour of magnificent landscapes and historic places. The Norfolk Island school takes students from years 1 to 12. The school follows the New South Wales syllabus and teachers are recruited for three-year contracts from within the New South Wales education system. With no income tax and no land rates, the students benefit from the best teachers in our system.

I should mention that Borgy has a palm plantation, is a local actor, has a spot on the local radio station, and has a fishing charter called Just for Two—just enough passengers to pay for the fuel when he wants to go fishing. And one can be guaranteed of catching a fish—probably a good size trumpeter. Why am I talking about Norfolk Island on this chilly winter's day? I am doing so because tourism numbers have dropped since the global financial crisis, and I point out that Norfolk Island is probably easier and quicker to get to at a lower price than many Queensland destinations and all other international destinations. I encourage all members to give it a go, either out of Newcastle or Sydney, and when they get there, say hello to Griff, Tim and Borgy for me.