Dear Paul, Thank you for your email regarding airports. You raise a good point that needs to be carefully monitored. In the early 1990s, the Commonwealth handed over the control of hundreds of small airports to local councils. Although the idea of local ownership was well intentioned, in hindsight some councils have struggled with maintenance and upkeep costs. However, under the Aerodrome Local Ownership Plan, local councils are not permitted to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of the aerodrome without the written consent of the Secretary of the Department of Transport. In recognition of the difficulty some local councils are having with maintenance of the airports, the Liberal Government in the recent Budget added an additional $28.3 million to the Remote Airports Upgrade Plan. Probably more needs to be done but it is recognition the Government is aware of the issue. Yours sincerely, Eric Abetz Liberal Senator for Tasmania