FED: Cabinet likely to decide today on Badgerys fate

AAP General News (Australia)
08-17-1999
FED: Cabinet likely to decide today on Badgerys fate

CANBERRA, Aug 17 AAP - Western Sydney residents opposed to a second Sydney airport at
Badgerys Creek will protest outside parliament today as federal cabinet moves toward a final
decision on the matter.

The issue dominated cabinet yesterday, with another meeting today expected to finalise the
matter.

Cabinet is considering Transport Minister John Anderson's options for building the airport,
including different runway configurations.

However, no announcement is expected this week on whether the government will build the $6
billion international airport at Badgerys Creek, 46km west of Sydney's city centre.

Opposition has come from cabinet ranks to the proposal, in particular from ministers whose
seats would be affected by noise from the airport.

Finance Minister John Fahey is a vehement opponent and is likely to receive support from
colleagues questioning investing a huge amount of money on another airport.

Treasurer Peter Costello, Industry Minister Nick Minchin and Workplace Relations Minister
Peter Reith are among those said not to be well disposed towards the proposal.

Financial Services Minister and Sydney MP Joe Hockey has told cabinet to support the
proposal while Sports Minister Jackie Kelly is putting the no case.

The Badgerys Creek site straddles the boundary between Ms Kelly's seat of Lindsay and Mr
Fahey's seat of Macarthur.

The looming decision follows the release of a generally favourable environmental impact
statement on the proposed airport in July.

In a last-ditch effort to head off the airport's approval, more than 15,000 protest letters
were handed to Mr Fahey late last week.

AAP rmm/trm/br

KEYWORD: BADGERYS DAYLEAD

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