Federal Labor will invest $65 million in Tasmania's airport infrastructure if it wins government in the May 21 election.
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Labor Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development spokeswoman Catherine King said Labor's investment would help turn Launceston and Hobart airports into economic powerhouses, upgrading facilities and laying the groundwork for thousands of new jobs across Tasmania.
"Labor will invest $60 million to upgrade and strengthen Hobart Airport's runway and airfield facilities, allowing the airport to service long-distance freight and widebody international flights," Ms King said. Labor is targetting the seats of Bass and Braddon and seeking to retain Lyons.
"In the North of the state, we will invest an initial $5 million to start the planning process for Launceston Airport's proposed TRANSLink intermodal facility, a facility that is already home to over 70 businesses and needs road, rail, stormwater and gas development to support even more," Ms King said.
"Labor's investment in TRANSLink will allow the Northern Midlands Council to secure long-term tenants for this site and do the design work needed for future investment."
A Labor government would earmark a further $30 million to deliver enabling infrastructure to the site once the planning work had been completed. Labor's Bass candidate Ross Hart said the project would be a "massive win for our community".
Ms King said that when complete the two projects would support more than 1600 jobs as well as growing the state's economy by over $150 million annually. Lyons MP Brian Mitchell said the promise was on top of one to upgrade Royal Flying Doctor Service facilities at Launceston Airport.
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