Push to lure pilot school
TASMANIAN Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck has called on the State Government to co-ordinate a submission to Qantas for their proposed Pilot Academy.
But independent Senator Steve Martin says the process is already under way after he held meetings with Qantas last week.
In February, Qantas said it would set up a pilot academy in regional Australia to train up to 500 pilots a year.
The Qantas Group Pilot Academy is expected to open next year and it has been reported that an initial investment of up to $20 million will be made to establish it.
“Tasmania has the unique opportunity to be the only bid that has a whole-of-state ap- proach with the backing of the State Government behind one proposal,” Senator Colbeck said.
“Qantas has indicated that there are up to 30 expressions of interest so far, meaning that competition will be fierce, but it will be difficult for other state governments to support just one bid.”
Senator Martin said Qantas, Devonport Airport and the State Government were already in agreement in regards to getting around the negotiating table for a submission to be forwarded for the Tasmanian site to be the preferred site for the pilot academy.
“Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Tasmanian Treasurer Peter Gutwein and I are scheduled to meet in Hobart on Monday to discuss the expectations outlined to me by Qantas executives in Sydney last week,” he said.
“The strategy from the outset has been to include the collaboration of stakeholders including Qantas, the Tasmanian Government, Devonport Airport and the community.”
Senator Colbeck and Senator Martin are both from Devonport.
A spokesman for Mr Gutwein said the Hodgman Lib- eral Government was already taking the lead on the issue.
“We are engaging with Qantas and preliminary work is under way,” he said.
“With business confidence and conditions leading the nation, it makes sense for Qantas to base their flying school here in Tasmania.
Senator Colbeck said his push is for Qantas to use facilities right around the state.