FEDERAL Nationals Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss will visit the Lyne electorate next week.
Announcing the visit, Federal Lyne MP Dr David Gillespie said the Deputy Prime Minister would be undertaking a number of activities throughout the electorate including the official opening of Dr Gillespie’s new Manning Valley office in Taree and the official opening of the Port Macquarie airport upgrade on Thursday 13 March.
“Under the current parliamentary entitlements, the Commonwealth only provides one office to the Federal Member which is located in Port Macquarie. I have indicated that I believe the electorate warrants a second office to assist with the servicing of the southern area of my electorate, so I have decided to fund the new office located in Victoria Street in Taree,” Dr Gillespie said.
“Following a request from Taree Council, I have also arranged for the general manager and mayor to meet with the Deputy PM in my new office.”
Dr Gillespie said the Deputy Prime Minister would meet with the local community, inspect a number of roads and open recently completed works at Port Macquarie airport.
“The $18-million upgrade of Port Macquarie airport included $15-million in Australian Government funding and the Deputy Prime Minister has been invited to undertake the official opening,” Dr Gillespie said.
“With the upgrade of the runway now in place, I have written to the chief executives of both Qantas and Virgin Australia airlines seeking their consideration to undertaking research into the possible establishment of a direct Port Macquarie-Melbourne air service.
“This month I met with Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, who indicated he would have a look at it, and I will be meeting with Virgin CEO John Borghetti hopefully this month to discuss the idea. Mr Borghetti has already written to me indicating there may be possibilities in the medium to longer term for the entry of Tigerair in the local market with a Melbourne service and his airline will continue to monitor current patronage of the Sydney route.”
