I warmly welcome the announcement at the weekend by France's Minister
for Transport, Gilles de Robien, shelving plans for a new airport
that threatened Australian war graves in northern France.
Mr de Robien has honoured his pre-election promise to review the
airport plans and start the entire process from scratch. The order
setting aside land for the airport has been withdrawn and a parliamentary
committee will investigate the issue of France's future airport
needs. This process is expected to take several months.
Mr de Robien has re-stated his strong opposition to an airport
in the Somme, and promised that should France need to build a new
airport in future, the French government would determine its location.
Australia has continued to make strong representations to the French
government and make our objections clear. I am encouraged by the
French government's decision to abandon the controversial airport
proposal. However, until the issue of France's future airport needs
is settled we will continue to make every effort to ensure the permanent
protection of Australia's war graves.
Media inquiries: Lyndall Sachs (Departmental) 02 6261 1555
