NSW: Greens to turn airport privatisation into election issue

AAP General News (Australia)
04-02-2001
NSW: Greens to turn airport privatisation into election issue

The New South Wales Greens have vowed to turn the federal government's decision to
privatise Sydney's airports into an election issue.

The federal government last Thursday announced it would sell Sydney's Kingsford Smith
Airport this year, with three other Sydney basin airports to be offloaded next year.

At the annual meeting of the party at the weekend, members of the Greens said privatisation
of the airports would lead to smaller regional airlines being pushed out in favour of
the larger more profitable jets.

There are also fears the move will increase noise and air pollution while restricting
air access to the city from the bush.

Greens delegate BEV INSHAW says the party is yet to determine how it will protest against
the decision.

But she says the move could include working towards preference deals in the lead-up
to the federal election.

AAP RTV ls/rp/wz/jn

KEYWORD: AIRPORT GREENS (SYDNEY)

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