Albanese backs federal push to build second Sydney airport

Anthony Albanese has backed a federal government-owned corporation being formed to develop Western Sydney Airport.

Federal Labor’s infrastructure spokesman Anthony Albanese.

Labor infrastructure spokesman Anthony Albanese has thrown his support behind a federal ­government-owned corporation being formed to develop Western Sydney Airport in the likely event Sydney Airport Corporation ­declines to build the $6 billion project.

In a speech to be delivered in Sydney today, Mr Albanese will commit Labor to “forming a company to build the airport itself”.

“That company could later be sold to a private operator,” Mr ­Albanese will say. “This model is similar to what is being used to deliver the Moorebank Intermodal project (in Sydney) established by the former Labor government.”

Sydney Airport secured the right to build a second airport under a Howard government deal, but the government is refusing to provide the financing ­arrangements most analysts ­believe will be required to make the project commercially viable in the short term.

Sydney Airport’s biggest shareholder, the $40bn superannuation fund Unisuper, told The Australian late last year that there was no way the company should build the airport at Badgerys Creek. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission said it would be better for the economy if the federal government or a third party developed the facility. The Turnbull government has given Sydney Airport until next month to decide whether it will accept the project.

But Mr Albanese will criticise the government’s approach to transport links to the airport.

“I cannot, for the life of me, understand why the government is unwilling to guarantee the airport will be connected to Sydney passenger rail network from the day it opens,” he will say.

“We’ve heard vague plans about a rail connection, but no ­details or firm commitments ... that’s not good enough. This lack of resolve threatens to limit the potential of the project.”

While Labor backs the project, several MPs in western Sydney have criticised it. Lindsay MP Emma Husar and Chifley MP Ed Husic have made negative comments about Western Sydney Airport, although Ms Husar has subsequently softened from that position.

Mr Albanese will say the government has accepted Labor’s position that there should be a no-fly zone between 11pm and 6am, a sign bipartisanship is working.

He will also call for more discussion about the provision of jet fuel to Badgerys Creek.

“There are only two possible ways to get aviation fuel to Western Sydney,” he will say. “One is by using trucks, which will add to traffic congestion, the other is by building a pipeline. This is a serious issue and it needs to be confronted now, in consultation with the community.”