09february2015

MON 09 FEBRUARY 2015

Mediaportal Report

LIFT-OFF07 Feb 2015Townsville Bulletin, Townsville QLD, General News, Anthony Galloway

Page 1 • 432 words • ASR AUD 6,468Photo: Yes • Type: News Item • Size: 937.00 cm² • QLD • Australia • Company Press • ID: 370008702

View print article -Read full text

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Sliding dollar spurs tourism07 Feb 2015Weekend Post, Cairns, General News, Nick Dalton

Page 16 • 352 words • ASR AUD 1,119Photo: No • Type: News Item • Size: 211.00 cm² • QLD • Australia • Company Press • ID: 369966116


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Mullet making mighty splash07 Feb 2015Weekend Gold Coast Bulletin, Gold Coast, General News

Page 39 • 371 words • ASR AUD 6,345Photo: Yes • Type: News Item • Size: 794.00 cm² • QLD • Australia • Sponsorship Press • ID: 370007775


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Chic cruiser books visit07 Feb 2015Townsville Bulletin, Townsville QLD, General News, Rachel Afflick



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SeaLink profits up 37 per cent07 Feb 2015Weekend Australian, Australia, Business News

Page 27 • 282 words • ASR AUD 3,298Photo: No • Type: News Item • Size: 101.00 cm² • National • Australia • Company Press • ID: 369909879


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COPYRIGHT This report and its contents are for the internal research use of Mediaportal subscribers only and may not beprovided to any third party by any means for any purpose without the express permission of iSentia and/or the relevantcopyright owner. For more information contact [email protected]

DISCLAIMER iSentia uses multiple audience data sources for press, internet, TV and radio, including AGB Nielsen MediaResearch, Audit Bureau of Circulations, comScore, CSM Media Research, OzTAM, Nielsen, Research International andTNS. For general information purposes only. Any ASRs and audience figures are an estimate only and may be subject toerror or omission. iSentia makes no representations and, to the extent permitted by law, excludes all warranties in relationto the information contained in the report and is not liable for any losses, costs or expenses, resulting from any use ormisuse of the report.

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Aussie volunteers get short shrift from Britain07 Feb 2015Daily Telegraph, Sydney, Letters

Page 36 • 169 words • ASR AUD 2,852Photo: No • Type: Letter • Size: 71.00 cm² • NSW • Australia • Issues Press • ID: 369905562


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How Borghetti got the last laugh07 Feb 2015Weekend Australian, Australia, Business News

Page 25 • 1274 words • ASR AUD 40,070Photo: Yes • Type: News Item • Size: 1,227.00 cm² • National • Australia • Company Press • ID: 369916595


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Flight is forced to return07 Feb 2015Weekend Post, Cairns, General News

Page 3 • 119 words • ASR AUD 323Photo: No • Type: News Item • Size: 61.00 cm² • QLD • Australia • Company Press • ID: 369987980


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Red carpet's ready for Chinese tourists07 Feb 2015Weekend Post, Cairns, General News, Nick Dalton



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Regular international flights in and out of Townsville07 Feb 2015 3:00 AMPrime Minister of Australia by pm.gov.au editor

155 words • ASR AUD 1,418 • Internet • ID: 370251414

In a boost to northern Australia, from 1 March 2015, Townsville airport will be able to support regular international flights. Increasedvisitor numbers will boost the tourism industry in northern Australia, encouraging businesses to invest and helping...

Read on source website

N/A UNIQUE DAILY VISITORSN/A AV. STORY AUDIENCE

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Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he and his deputy Julie Bishop will stand together in ...07 Feb 2015 7:01 AM6PR, Perth, 07:00 News (Weekend), Newsreader

Duration: 0 min 35 secs • ASR AUD 488 • WA • Australia • Company Radio & TV • ID: W00060538390

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he and his deputy Julie Bishop will stand together in urging the party room to defeat the spill motion.Abbott, Bishop and Warren Truss appeared in Townsville to make an announcement, saying the airport will start receivinginternational flights.

18,000 ALL8,000 MALE 16+10,000 FEMALE 16+

Interviewees

Tony Abbott, Prime Minister

Also broadcast from the following 12 stations

6MM (Mandurah), Classic Hits 666 (Carnarvon), Radio West Merredin (Merredin), RadioWest Albany(Albany), RadioWest Bunbury (Bunbury), RadioWest Esperance (Esperance), RadioWest Kalgoorlie(Kalgoorlie), RadioWest Katanning (Katanning), RadioWest Narrogin (Narrogin), RadioWest Northam(Northam), Spirit 1026AM (Port Hedland), Spirit 1260AM (Karratha)

Prime Minister Tony Abbott will fight for the his political life on Tuesday when the Liberal...07 Feb 2015 8:30 AMChannel 9, Sydney, Today on Saturday, Cameron Williams and Leila McKinnon

Duration: 1 min 45 secs • ASR AUD 64,396 • National • Australia • Company Radio & TV • ID: M00060537715

Prime Minister Tony Abbott will fight for the his political life on Tuesday when the Liberal Party votes on a spill for the leadership ofboth the party and the country. Josh Frydenberg, Assistant Treasurer, expects the spill motion will be defeated because Abbott retainsthe strong support of the majority of his colleagues. The Prime Minister is currently in Townsville to announce Townsville Airport willbe reinstated as an international airport.

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Interviewees

Josh Frydenberg, Assistant Treasurer


Channel 9 (Melbourne), Channel 9 (Adelaide), Channel 9 (Brisbane), Channel 9 (Perth), Channel 9Darwin (Darwin), Channel 9 Gold Coast (Gold Coast North), Imparja Alice Springs (Alice Springs),Imparja Longreach (Longreach), Imparja Mt Isa (Mt Isa), NBN Central Coast (Gosford), NBN CoffsHarbour (Coffs Harbour), NBN Gold Coast (Gold Coast), NBN Lismore (Lismore), NBN NewcastleHunter (Newcastle), NBN Tamworth (Tamworth), NBN Taree (Taree), WIN Albury (Albury), WIN Ballarat(Ballarat), WIN Bendigo (Bendigo), WIN Cairns (Cairns), WIN Canberra (Canberra), WIN Dubbo(Dubbo), WIN Gippsland (Sale), WIN Griffith (Griffith), WIN Hobart (Hobart), WIN Mackay (Mackay),WIN Mildura (Mildura), WIN Orange (Orange), WIN Rockhampton (Rockhampton), WIN Shepparton(Shepparton), WIN Sunshine Coast (Sunshine Coast), WIN Toowoomba (Toowoomba), WIN Townsville(Townsville), WIN Wagga (Wagga Wagga), WIN Western Australia (Perth), WIN Wide Bay (Bundaberg),WIN Wollongong (Wollongong)

Cross to Tony Abbott in Qld. Abbott says that he is there with the Deputy Prime Minister,...07 Feb 2015 8:51 AM5AA, Adelaide , Weekends, Michael Keelan

Duration: 2 mins 15 secs • ASR AUD 735 • SA • Australia • Company Radio & TV • ID: W00060538052

Cross to Tony Abbott in Qld. Abbott says that he is there with the Deputy Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and the local member tomake the announcement that from the first of March there will be Customs, quarantine and Immigration Officers to allow TownsvilleAirport to receive international flights.

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Interviewees


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Townsville Airport will start accepting international flights from March. Customs and ...07 Feb 2015 9:01 AM4BC, Brisbane , 09:00 News (Weekend), Newsreader

Duration: 0 min 14 secs • ASR AUD 241 • QLD • Australia • Company Radio & TV • ID: W00060538272

Townsville Airport will start accepting international flights from March. Customs and Immigration officials will begin work next month,but no airline has yet committed to running international services.

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1071 AM (Kingaroy), 4CRB FM (Gold Coast), 4LG (Longreach), Magic 882 (Brisbane), Radio 4KZ(Innisfail)

In a joint media event in Townsville the Prime Minister has been joined by Julie Bishop ...07 Feb 2015 9:03 AM4KQ, Brisbane , 09:00 News (Weekend), Newsreader


In a joint media event in Townsville the Prime Minister has been joined by Julie Bishop and Warren Truss in an announcement of newCustoms and immigration facilities at Townsville airport.

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Hadley says that Bolt has called for a fresh election. He remarks that he has called for a ...07 Feb 2015 9:20 AM2GB, Sydney , Mornings (Weekend), Ray Hadley

Duration: 2 mins 30 secs • ASR AUD 4,451 • NSW • Australia • Company Radio & TV • ID: M00060540645

Hadley says that Bolt has called for a fresh election. He remarks that he has called for a double dissolution for a while. Hadley playssome audio from Abbott which talks about the new Customs and international facilities at Townsville Airport. He remarks that nobodywill ask questions about Townsville Airport but are interested instead in the leadership spill on Tuesday.

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2BS (Bathurst), 2CC (Canberra), 2CS FM (Coffs Harbour), 2GN (Goulburn), 2GZ (Orange), 2MC FM(Port Macquarie), 2WG (Wagga Wagga), 2XL (Cooma), 4GR (Toowoomba), 4VL (Charleville), Sun FMSunraysia (Mildura)

Live press conference with Tony Abbott, Prime Minister, Julie Bishop, Minister for Foreig...07 Feb 2015 9:21 AMSky News Live, Sydney, 09:00 First Edition (Saturday)

Duration: 18 mins 45 secs • ASR AUD 11,880 • National • Australia • Company Radio & TV • ID: M00060537880

Live press conference with Tony Abbott, Prime Minister, Julie Bishop, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Warren Truss, Deputy PrimeMinister.Tony Abbott reports that Townsville Airport will have a Customs department and receive international flights from the 1st of March.Truss says that this is an important step for Townsville, and that expressions of interest have been received by airlines. He furtherclaims that there have been positive responses by these airlines. Truss hopes that services can operate into Townsville as soon aspossible. Bishop says that the announcement is a milestone for North Qld, and for Townsville. She claims that the inclusion of TourismAustralia into the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has seen a rise in international visitors. Bishop notes that most of thesevisitors have been from the Asia-Pacific. Abbott says that the Government would like to see agencies working in unison andcommends the MP for Herbert, Ewen Jones, in his work for Townsville. Abbott would not like to see the Federal Government turn into'A Game of Thrones.' He insists that the LNP are not Labor, and refuses to comment on the anticipated leadership spill. Abbott saysthat he would like next week to be business as usual so the LNP can build a stable and prosperous Australia. Bishop says that she willsupport Abbott, and that she does not support the leadership spill motion.

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Interviewees

Julie Bishop, Minister for Foreign Affairs|Tony Abbott, Prime Minister|Warren Truss, Deputy Prime Minister


Sky News Live (Melbourne), Sky News Live (Canberra), Sky News Live (Brisbane), Sky News Live(Adelaide), Sky News Live (Perth), Sky News Live (Regional NSW), Sky News Live (RegionalQueensland), Sky News Live (Regional Victoria), Sky News Live (Tasmania)

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Customs and Border Security has been boosted at Townsville Airport in a bid to bring in ...07 Feb 2015 10:00 AM2SM, Sydney, 10:00 News (Weekend), Newsreader

Duration: 0 min 43 secs • ASR AUD 402 • NSW • Australia • Company Radio & TV • ID: W00060538133

Customs and Border Security has been boosted at Townsville Airport in a bid to bring in international flights.

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Interviewees

Warren Truss, Deputy Prime Minister,

It's been announced that Townsville Airport will begin accepting international flights fro...07 Feb 2015 10:01 AM3AW, Melbourne , 10:00 News (Weekend), Newsreader

Duration: 0 min 13 secs • ASR AUD 722 • VIC • Australia • Company Radio & TV • ID: W00060541706

It's been announced that Townsville Airport will begin accepting international flights from March. Customs and Immigration officials willbegin working next month, though no airline has yet committed to running international services.

127,000 ALL45,000 MALE 16+82,000 FEMALE 16+


3BA FM (Ballarat), 3CS (Colac), 3SH (Swan Hill), 3WM (Horsham), 3YB (Warrnambool), Coast FM(Warrnambool), Magic 1278 (Melbourne), Mixx FM Hamilton (Hamilton), Mixx FM Horsham (Horsham),TR FM (Traralgon)

The Abbott Government has announced that the Townsville Airport will begin accepting ...07 Feb 2015 10:01 AM4BC, Brisbane , 10:00 News (Weekend), Newsreader


The Abbott Government has announced that the Townsville Airport will begin accepting international flights from next month. WarrenTruss, Leader of the Nationals, says they've not had any applications from airlines yet.

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Townsville Airport will accept international flight from March 1.07 Feb 2015 10:02 AM2GB, Sydney , 10:00 News (Weekend), Newsreader


Townsville Airport will accept international flight from March 1.

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Also broadcast from the following 1 station

2CH (Sydney)

Tony Abbott, Prime Minister, has been flanked by Julie Bishop, Deputy Leader of the ...07 Feb 2015 10:09 AMABC News 24, Sydney, Weekend Breakfast, Andrew Geoghegan and Miriam Corowa

Duration: 2 mins 19 secs • ASR AUD 13,997 • National • Australia • Company Radio & TV • ID: M00060539494

Tony Abbott, Prime Minister, has been flanked by Julie Bishop, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, and Warren Truss, Leader of theNationals, amid leadership tensions while making an announcement in Qld that Townsville Airport has been approved to takeinternational services. Abbott says he expects the spill motion to fail. Abbott says the Coalition will not repeat the ALP chaos andenact a Game of Thrones circus. Abbott expects a secret ballot. Abbott says the Coalition has been an effective government. Bishopsays she supports the leaders and not a spill. Malcolm Turnbull, Federal Minister for Communications, is expected to be the mostlikely candidate.

106,000 ALL55,000 MALE 16+47,000 FEMALE 16+

Interviewees



ABC News 24 (Melbourne), ABC News 24 (Regional NSW), ABC News 24 (Brisbane), ABC News 24(Adelaide), ABC News 24 (Perth), ABC News 24 (Regional Queensland), ABC News 24 (Hobart), ABCNews 24 (Canberra), ABC News 24 (Regional Victoria), ABC News 24 (Regional West Australia)

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Qld Tourism will have a lot to gain from a new Immigration and Customs facility at ...07 Feb 2015 11:00 AM4KQ, Brisbane , 11:00 News (Weekend), Newsreader


Qld Tourism will have a lot to gain from a new Immigration and Customs facility at Townsville Airport.

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Customs and Border Security has been boosted at Townsville Airport in a bid to bring in ...07 Feb 2015 11:01 AM5AA, Adelaide , 11:00 News (Weekend), Newsreader

Duration: 0 min 16 secs • ASR AUD 91 • SA • Australia • Company Radio & TV • ID: W00060538872

Customs and Border Security has been boosted at Townsville Airport in a bid to bring in international flights, so far no airlines havecommitted.

24,000 ALL12,000 MALE 16+11,000 FEMALE 16+

Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his deputy Julie Bishop have stood united as they ...07 Feb 2015 1:00 PM4BC, Brisbane , 13:00 News (Weekend), Newsreader


Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his deputy Julie Bishop have stood united as they announce international flights will begin atTownsville airport next month, with Bishop saying he will vote against the motion of a leadership spill as part of her role to support theleader. Treasurer Joe Hockey has also reported Abbott has his support, saying he is a 'genuinely good human being'.

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Interviewees

Joe Hockey, Federal Treasurer|Julie Bishop, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party



Warren Truss, Federal Transport Minister hopes that airlines will get on board a plan to ...07 Feb 2015 3:01 PM2GB, Sydney , 15:00 News (Weekend), Newsreader


Warren Truss, Federal Transport Minister hopes that airlines will get on board a plan to make Townsville an international airport. It ishoped the move will open up the region to new business and tourism possibilities.

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Interviewees

Warren Truss, Federal Transport Minister

Also broadcast from the following 1 station

2CH (Sydney)

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has announced international flights will commenc...07 Feb 2015 4:02 PMNewstalk ZB (Auckland), Auckland, 16:00 News (Saturday), Newsreader

Duration: 0 min 11 secs • ASR AUD 95 • NZ • New Zealand • Company Radio & TV • ID: W00060539421

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has announced international flights will commence from Townsville Airport.

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Newstalk ZB (Hawkes Bay), Newstalk ZB (Manawatu), Newstalk ZB (Nelson), Newstalk ZB (Whangarei),Newstalk ZB (Rotorua), Newstalk ZB (Southland), Newstalk ZB (Taranaki), Newstalk ZB (Tauranga),Newstalk ZB (Waikato), Newstalk ZB (Christchurch) (Christchurch), Newstalk ZB (Dunedin) (Dunedin),Newstalk ZB (Wellington) (Wellington)













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There are reports that Communications Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, is to challenge Prime...07 Feb 2015 6:00 PMNBN Newcastle Hunter, Newcastle, NBN News (Saturday), Paul Lobb


There are reports that Communications Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, is to challenge Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, in a leadership spillnext week. Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, and Liberal MP, Warren Truss, were with Abbott today as he announced an upgrade to theTownsville International Airport. Abbott has refuted claims that Bishop will challenge him and says that the spill motion will fail. Thereis speculation that Scott Morrison will replace Joe Hockey as Treasurer should Turnbull successfully be elected leader.

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Interviewees

Andrew Robb, Trade Minister|Christopher Pyne, Minister for Education|Joe Hockey, FederalTreasurer|John Alexander, Liberal MP|Josh Frydenberg, Assistant Treasurer|Julie Bishop, Deputy Leaderof the Liberal Party|Lucy Turnbull|Tony Abbott, Prime Minister

There are reports that Communications Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, is to challenge Prime...07 Feb 2015 6:00 PMNBN Lismore, Lismore, NBN News (Saturday), Paul Lobb


There are reports that Communications Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, is to challenge Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, in a leadership spillnext week. Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, and Liberal MP, Warren Truss, were with Abbott today as he announced an upgrade to theTownsville International Airport. Abbott has refuted claims that Bishop will challenge him and says that the spill motion will fail. Thereis speculation that Scott Morrison will replace Joe Hockey as Treasurer.

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Interviewees

Andrew Robb, Trade Minister|Christopher Pyne, Minister for Education|Joe Hockey, FederalTreasurer|John Alexander, Liberal MP|Josh Frydenberg, Assistant Treasurer|Julie Bishop, Deputy Leaderof the Liberal Party|Lucy Turnbull|Tony Abbott, Prime Minister

There are reports that Communications Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, is to challenge Prime...07 Feb 2015 6:00 PMNBN Gold Coast, Gold Coast, NBN News Gold Coast (Saturday) , Paul Lobb

Duration: 3 mins 26 secs • ASR AUD 12,360 • QLD • Australia • Company Radio & TV • ID: M00060542551

There are reports that Communications Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, is to challenge Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, in a leadership spillnext week. Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, and Liberal MP, Warren Truss, were with Abbott today as he announced an upgrade to theTownsville International Airport. Abbott has refuted claims that Bishop will challenge him and says that the spill motion will fail. Thereis speculation that Scott Morrison will replace Joe Hockey as Treasurer should Turnbull successfully be elected leader. CabinetMinisters Joe Hockey, Christopher Pyne, Andrew Robb and Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg are all supporting the PrimeMinister.


Interviewees

Andrew Robb, Trade Minister|Christopher Pyne, Minister for Education|Joe Hockey, Federal Treasurer|JohnAlexander, Liberal MP|Josh Frydenberg, Assistant Treasurer|Julie Bishop, Minister for Foreign Affairs|LucyTurnbull, Wife|Tony Abbott, Prime Minister

Tony Abbott, Prime Minister and Julie Bishop, Minister for Foreign Affairs have ...07 Feb 2015 6:02 PM4BC, Brisbane , 18:00 News (Weekend), Newsreader


Tony Abbott, Prime Minister and Julie Bishop, Minister for Foreign Affairs have announced international flights will begin atTownsville's airport for March 1st.

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Federal Transport Minister Warren Truss hopes airlines will get onboard a plan to make ...07 Feb 2015 7:01 PM2GB, Sydney , 19:00 News (Weekend), Newsreader


Federal Transport Minister Warren Truss hopes airlines will get onboard a plan to make Townsville an international airport.

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Interviewees

Warren Truss, Federal Transport Minister

GOING AGAINST THE TIDE08 Feb 2015Sunday Mail Brisbane, Brisbane, U on Sunday

Page 24 • 983 words • ASR AUD 32,982Photo: Yes • Type: News Item • Size: 1,015.00 cm² • QLD • Australia • Sponsorship Press • ID: 369175936


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Bali flights cleared for Townsville takeoff08 Feb 2015Sunday Mail Brisbane, Brisbane, General News, Anthony Galloway

Page 15 • 250 words • ASR AUD 3,704Photo: No • Type: News Item • Size: 114.00 cm² • QLD • Australia • Company Press • ID: 370276893


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ALL ABOARD THE GULAG EXPRESS08 Feb 2015Sunday Mail Brisbane, Brisbane, General News, Peter Cameraon

Page 26 • 164 words • ASR AUD 12,185Photo: Yes • Type: News Item • Size: 375.00 cm² • QLD • Australia • Issues Press • ID: 370275484


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Townsville's gateway to world08 Feb 2015Sun Herald, Sydney, Regional Changes Qld

Page 11 • 163 words • ASR AUD 2,433Photo: No • Type: News Item • Size: 57.00 cm² • NSW • Australia • Company Press • ID: 370316412


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In for the long haul09 Feb 2015Townsville Bulletin, Townsville QLD, General News, Anthony Galloway



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Coalition must show voters real substance09 Feb 2015Townsville Bulletin, Townsville QLD, General News

Page 14 • 328 words • ASR AUD 819Photo: No • Type: News Item • Size: 135.00 cm² • QLD • Australia • Company Press • ID: 370561812


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Townsville Airport goes international09 Feb 2015The Australian, Australia , Edition Changes - QLD First

Page 2 • 175 words • ASR AUD 1,495Photo: No • Type: News Item • Size: 74.00 cm² • National • Australia • Company Press • ID: 370578035


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Think tank09 Feb 2015Gold Coast Bulletin, Gold Coast QLD, General News

Page 14 • 877 words • ASR AUD 7,126Photo: Yes • Type: News Item • Size: 1,129.00 cm² • QLD • Australia • Company Press • ID: 370557085


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Mayoral snub for Coe09 Feb 2015Gold Coast Bulletin, Gold Coast QLD, General News, Mackenzie Ravn

Page 3 • 445 words • ASR AUD 1,742Photo: Yes • Type: News Item • Size: 276.00 cm² • QLD • Australia • Issues Press • ID: 370556606


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Tony Abbott, Prime Minister, along with key frontbenchers were in Townsville on ...09 Feb 2015 6:02 AM4TO FM, Townsville, 06:00 News, Newsreader

Duration: 1 min 10 secs • ASR AUD 175 • QLD • Australia • Company Radio & TV • ID: V00060546008

Tony Abbott, Prime Minister, along with key frontbenchers were in Townsville on Saturday to explain the boost for the TownsvilleAirport. Abbott has declared that beginning March, the airport will have its own customs, quarantine, and immigration dispatch offices,which would make the airport feasible for international flights. Warren Truss, Deputy Prime Minister and Federal InfrastructureMinister, says the additions are what the North needs. Ewen Jones, Herbert Federal MP, has been working to make this happen forsome time now and he is chuffed with the news.


Interviewees

Tony Abbott, Prime Minister|Warren Truss, Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Infrastructure Minister


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LIFT-OFFInternational airport to launchpp March 1

EXCLUSIVEANTHONY GALLOWAY

INTERNATIONAL flights between Towns-ville and Bali have been given the green lightby the Federal Government.

Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss willbe in Townsville today to announce thatTownsville Airport will be able to operateinternational flights from March 1.

Herbert MP Ewen Jones has been lobby-ing colleagues in Canberra to cover the costof providing customs and other services and abreakthrough was achieved this week.

Townsville Airport has been in discussions

with AirAsia and Jetstar to commence directflights but the high cost of providing customs,quarantine and border protection serviceshad been a sticking point.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said in-creased visitor numbers would boost NorthQueensland’s tourism industry and unlockthe region’s full potential.

“I hope that these plans can now befinalised and flights can commence in thenear future,” Mr Abbott said.

Continued page 4

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Copyright Agency licensed copy(www.copyright.com.au)

Townsville Bulletin, Townsville QLD07 Feb 2015, by Anthony Galloway

General News, page 1 - 937.00 cm²Regional - circulation 32,442 (MTWTFS-)

ID 370008702 PAGE 1 of 2

LIFT-OFF AT LASTFriday, December 19, 2014 townsvillebulletin.com.au

MISSION TO SAVE 800 NQ JOBS I P3

International airport a ‘border security risk’national airpp a border securityy

PLANESTUPID

Roo plague has localsjumpy

6SLEEPS TILCHRISTMAS

A LARGE MOB of kangaroos huddle in the scarce shade on the downs near Aramac. Locals say the kangaroo population has reached plague proportions, with the marsupials even invading backyards in Aramac and Muttaburra to feast on grass. Local kangaroo shooter Dave Coulton says the animals are thriving despite the continued drought.STORY PAGE 10

Minister looks atcustoms upgradeTHE Federal Government is co

ANTHONYTEMPLETON

[email protected]

Thursday, October 30, 2014 townsvillebulletin.com.au

Townsville

Bali

WOMANFITSBILL FORSHOETHEFT

MOZZIEARMYSET FORDENGUEWAR

PAGE 7

PAGE 2

SUNNY21� - 30�

BALIEXPRESS

GHOULISHGATHERINGI SAVVY

ANTHONY TEMPLETON

FLIGHTS between Townsville and Bali could commence in coming months but only if a way to reduce the cost of providing customs and quarantine services is found.

Townsville Airport and AirAsia have been in detailed discussions in a bid to begin offering international flights as the low-cost airline is looking to aggressively expand its profile and capacity in Australia.

The Bulletin understands

negotiations between the two organisations have centred around the airline providing three direct flights a week to Denpasar – a growing transport hub for Asia.

Despite positive negotiations between the airport and AirAsia

the regulatory costs associated with providing customs and quarantine services may sink the plan through a larger ticket surcharge than those imposed at other international airports in Australia.

CONTINUED PAGE 5

EXCLUSIVE

MOSTLY SUNNY25� - 33�

TIME TOLET FLY

Second airline blocked in push forinternational flights to city as Newman

vows to take up fight with PM

SADSYDNEYUNITESOVERLOSS

O F F I C E O FC A M P B E L L N E W M A N

Thursday, December 18, 2014 townsvillebulletin.com.au

PAGES 4-5

20SIGNS OFSUMMERIN THEVILLE

SAVVY

Jetstar plans to introduce international flightsnext year but a stalemate over “passenger movement charges” has stalled the decision.

A SECOND airline wants to offer direct flights from Town ill t B li b h f

The cost is also a sticking point for Air Asia, which is keen to open flights on the same route.

Premier Campbell Newman has vowed to lobb

VICTORIA NUGENT

How the Townsville Bulletin has covered the city’s bid for international flights.

‘‘FEDERAL MP EWEN JONES

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ID 370008702 PAGE 2 of 2

Rise in business travel from the US

Sliding dollar spurs tourismNICK DALTON

THE falling Australian dollaris starting to boost the tropicalnorth’s tourism fortunes.

The industry is seeing morevisitors from the US, particu-larly business and incentivetravellers, as the Americaneconomy improves and theChinese are spending more.

Cairns economist Bill Cum-ming said the fall against theUS dollar of 17.5 per cent wasalmost parallel to the fallagainst the Chinese yuan of16.4 per cent.

“Overall it is very goodnews,” he said. “The Australiandollar has fallen from a historicpeak a few years ago of aroundUS108¢ by 28 per cent.

“For tourism this helps at-tract overseas visitors and dis-courages Australians fromtravelling overseas.

“The lower dollar will be

good for maintaining com-petitiveness of and returns tosugar, beef and seafood pro-ducers, and for the interna-tional education sector.”

Queensland Hotels Associ-ation Far Northern spokesmanNic O’Donnell said his Shan-gri-La hotel had reported a risein business and incentive trav-el from the US.

Although it was expensivefor the Chinese to get to thetropical north, they were shop-ping more, he said.

“The Chinese New Year is atime of giving and they will bebuying presents to take home,”Mr O’Donnell said.

“In particular they lovehoney, infant milk powder andfish oil.”

Herron Todd White re-search director Rick Carr saidthe lower dollar, fuel prices andinterest rates would strength-en the region’s economic re-

covery during the year. “Theprime beneficiary will be tour-ism, particularly domestictourism as the higher cost ofoverseas holidays due to thelower dollar encourages Auss-ies to take their holidays in pla-ces like Cairns rather thanoverseas,” he said. “The lowerdollar will also benefit a rangeof other industries such as fish-ing and horticulture.”

Tourism Tropical NorthQueensland chief executiveAlex de Waal said in the shortto medium term “we can ex-pect a positive … visitationfrom fellow Australians andvisitors from a number of keyinternational source markets”.

Cairns Airport chief execu-tive Kevin Brown said the re-gion was better placed toattract more visitors. “Plus,once they are here, our inter-national visitors are likely tospend more overall,” he said.

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Weekend Post, Cairns07 Feb 2015, by Nick Dalton

General News, page 16 - 211.00 cm²Regional - circulation 33,034 (-----S-)

ID 369966116 PAGE 1 of 1

Mullet makingmighty splash

AUDIENCES should expect the unexpected from this year’s Bleach*Festival, from March 6 to 22.

As well as a program of 60 events,this year’s festival boasts a mascot of sorts — a giant, 10m long mullet calledFish-out-of-Water.

Commissioned by Bleach* from contemporary performance companyErth, creators of Erth Dinosaurs, themullet is operated by 10 puppeteers and will pop up at various events throughout the festival.

Bleach* director Louise Bezzinasaid the mullet demonstrated thespirit, imagination and sense of fun thefestival brings to the Coast.

“Not only is the mullet a fish that isplentiful on the Gold Coast, it hasstrong cultural ties to the traditional owners associated with the Gold Coast and extended coastline area,” she said.

“In the fish world, the mullet is a bitof an ‘underdog’.”

Highlights of this year’s program include:

PICNIC IN YOUR PATCHA trio of free pop-up picnics at Kirra, Mudgeeraba and The Arts Centre Gold Coast featuring contemporary music,roving performance (watch out forgiant ants), storytelling, dance lessons and programs for children.

SEQUINS & SINEWAnother free family event at Kirra fromMarch 6-8. Circus performer DarcyGrant was commissioned to create and direct the work, which boasts daring physical feats, acrobatics and high flying dance on cranes.

TIDETIDE at Currumbin

Estuary on March 13and 15 sees dancers Gavin

and Josh, from local companyThe Farm, don business suits for a

two-day performance stranded on their “outdoor office” – a sandbar – while Eli, from Regurgitator, cruisesinto their office by boat to play music..Audiences can watch from vantagepoints around Currumbin Estuary orswim out to lend a hand.

DANCE AFFAIRThe Inaugural Dance Affair, at TugunProgress Hall nightly from March 19 to22, is performance and celebrationthat highlights the stories of localcommunity dance legends.

THE ADVENTURES OF FIGAROPresented by OperaQ and based on Rossini’s Barber of Seville, at FifthAvenue Palm Beach on March 14 andon an outdoor stage at Paradise PointParklands on March 15.

VISIT BLEACHFESTIVAL.COM.AU FOR THE FULL PROGRAM

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Weekend Gold Coast Bulletin, Gold Coast07 Feb 2015


ID 370007775 PAGE 1 of 2

Tim Baker with surfing legend Michael Peterson’s original board from the surf movie Morning of the Earth.

Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS

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Weekend Gold Coast Bulletin, Gold Coast07 Feb 2015


ID 370007775 PAGE 2 of 2

Chic cruiserbooks visitAFFLICK

[email protected]

ANOTHER luxury liner hasadded Townsville to its sailingschedule, as tourism leaderscontinue to push the city andits $85 million terminal withinternational cruise operators.

Up to 382 guests andaround 350 crew will stop inTownsville in 2016 after Mon-aco’s Silversea Cruises con-firmed the city as a stopover onSilver Whisper’s 2016 itinerary.

Townsville Enterprise bossPatricia O’Callaghan described the visit as a win for Townsville and the result of painstaking efforts to generate awareness of the city’s new cruise terminal and attractions.

“We’re slowly starting to seethe fruits of our labour,” she said. “We’re in discussions with a number of cruise liners at the moment. We’re got quite a few ships coming in February.”

Silversea voyages and

cruise expeditions sail to over800 destinations on all sevencontinents worldwide.

Ms O’Callaghan said SilverWhisper was a luxury vessel atthe high end of the market.

“These passengers will in-ject money into the local econ-omy by booking tours andspending while they are on dry

land,” she said.“TEL, the port and tourism

operators have been workingvery closely to improve theflexibility and variety of offer-ings as a destination to cruiseliner operators to ensure wecapture steady increases in

cruise ship visits in the2016/2017 cruise season.”

Port of Townsville chiefexecutive Ranee Crosby saidSilver Whisper’s visit would bea welcome new addition to theline-up due in the port.

“Silver Whisper is perfectlyrsuited to our harbour and facili-ties and, with guaranteed pri-ority given to cruise ships at Wharf 10, it is now possible for cruise lines to factor Townsville into their long-term itinerary planning,” Ms Crosby said.

Silver Whisper will arrive atr1pm and depart at 6pm on Feb-ruary 18 next year.

SIGNED: The Silver Whisper will berth in Townsville next February.

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Townsville Bulletin, Townsville QLD07 Feb 2015, by Rachel Afflick


ID 370005168 PAGE 1 of 1

SeaLink profits up 37 per centTOURISM: Increased ferry passengers to Kangaroo Islandhelped offset traffic declines toMagnetic Island for ferry and tourism operator SeaLink, which produced a 37 per cent increasein net profits for the first half.

Helped by the dropping Australian dollar and lower fuelprices, the Adelaide-basedtourism group produced a net profit of $4.7m for the six months to December 31, up from $3.4m.

A fully franked interim dividend of 3.8c a share will be paid on April 15 with thecompany flagging this week that the strong performance of its Captain Cook Cruises division had prompted it to add morevessels to its Sydney Harbour fleet. It committed to purchasing a further two ferries, bringing itsnational fleet to 28 vessels.

Earnings before interest, tax,depreciation and amortisationwere $9.3m, up 13 per cent on the previous corresponding period. Operating expenses for the half year increased by nearly $3m to

more than $50m. SeaLink forkedout nearly $21m in the 2014financial year on major additionsto its fleet which operates inNSW, South Australia,Queensland and NorthernTerritory.

Kangaroo Island SeaLink wasone of the star performing divisions producing 6 per cent revenue growth to $26.5m for the first half given increased tourist traffic to the popular leisure island off Adelaide.

SeaLink’s tourism division onKangaroo Island fared evenbetter with a 19 per cent jump in revenue growth. But in Queensland the company acknowledged it must improve passenger numbers to MagneticIsland off Townsville which has suffered from a downturn in the value of its residential real estate.

“We are well placed for futureexpansion with the balance sheetfurther strengthened byproceeds from the exercise of options in the last four months,” Mr Ellison said.

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Weekend Australian, Australia07 Feb 2015

Business News, page 27 - 101.00 cm²National - circulation 238,138 (S)

ID 369909879 PAGE 1 of 1

Aussie volunteers get short shrift from Britain

h h d bI agree that there needs to be more consideration towards Australian citizens requiring a UK working visa (“Tearing down UK’s visa wall”, 30/1).

After several months of correspondence my husband andI were offered volunteer positionslast year at the 2014 GlasgowCommonwealth Games. We werereally excited about going but itall came to an abrupt halt whenwe were told we needed aworking visa. Yes, even avolunteer must have a workingvisa. We could get tourist visasbut couldn’t “work” as volunteers.

UK Immigration said it was their way of controlling the illegal immigration surge.

I found the attitude of our Commonwealth cousins disgusting, demeaning and discriminatory, especially as we were prepared to pay our own expenses and work for nothing.

UK Secretary of State WilliamHague says there are many visa routes for Aussies, but actually there are none for volunteers.

If this deplorable situation isn’treconciled before our Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018 I suggest Australian Immigration extend the same courtesies to any hopeful UK volunteers.

Karen Walsh Blacktown

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Daily Telegraph, Sydney07 Feb 2015

Letters, page 36 - 71.00 cm²Capital City Daily - circulation 286,683 (MTWTFS-)

ID 369905562 PAGE 1 of 1

How Borghetti got the last laughEXCLUSIVE

STEVE CREEDYAVIATION WRITER

THEY laughed when John Bor-ghetti unveiled his strategy totransform Virgin Blue into a full-service carrier capable of takingon the entrenched might ofQantas in a market the flyingkangaroo had monopolised foralmost a decade.

It was shortly after his first re-sult in 2010 as he was doing theobligatory roadshow, and he re-calls one particular group whoseworkplace he can see from his of-fice in Sydney’s Macquarie Place.

As he talked about his strategy,and where the company wasgoing, the people on other side oftable laughed and began tellingthe airline veteran why.

“I thought, ‘I can’t believe this,these guys don’t get it, they’resupposed to understand the land-scape’. I walked away thinking ‘I’llsee who laughs in three years’time’ and I’m glad to say I’m hereto laugh.’’

The airline that was conceivedon a beer mat in a British pub willreach a milestone on Tuesdaywhen the final Virgin Blue red air-craft enters service in the newwhite livery of Virgin Australia.

It comes as the airline yester-day revealed it moved back intothe black with an underlying pre-tax profit of $55.3 million for thesecond quarter, equivalent to aninterim underlying profit of$10.3m, and a net profit of $11.3m.Budget subsidiary TigerairAustralia, which had beenhaemorrhaging money, brokeeven and could now beat its targetof achieving profitability by the

end of fiscal 2016. Borghetti, looking relaxed

after a short break, says the airlineis ahead of schedule on all fronts.

He said the airline had wanted20 per cent of its revenue to comefrom corporate and governmentpassengers by the end of fiscal

2014. However, this had beenachieved by the end of fiscal 2013.“Now we’re way above it, let’s justa say a number between 25 and 30(per cent),’’ he says. “We’re target-ing 30 by the end of ‘17 and I’mvery confident we’ll achieve that.So in that regard, that’s wayahead of schedule.

“In fact, we’re actually aheadof schedule in every key perform-ance indicator we enunciatedback at the launch, whether it beVelocity members, revenue mix,route networks — you name it,we’re ahead of it.’’

Virgin’s “game change’’ strat-

egy was unveiled in May 2011,when Borghetti joined part-owner Richard Branson to unveilthe carrier’s new livery on a two-class Boeing 737 and vowed to liftthe airline’s proportion of rev-enue from corporate and govern-ment business from 12 to 20 percent.

The strategy included AirbusA330 widebody aircraft on trans-continental routes, new flight at-tendant uniforms, a new in-flightmenu designed by chef LukeMangan as well as new lounges.

Over the next three years, theairline would significantly boostits fleet and establish a global vir-tual network through allianceswith major partners Etihad,Singapore Airlines, Delta AirLines and Air New Zealand. Aus-tralia’s liberal domestic aviationregimen would allow three of the

Continued on Page 28

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Weekend Australian, Australia07 Feb 2015, by No author available

Business News, page 25 - 1,227.00 cm²National - circulation 238,138 (S)

ID 369916595 PAGE 1 of 4

Virgin chief executive John Borghetti says the airline is ahead of schedule on all fronts

JAMES CROUCHER

Back in the black: how Borghetti got the last laugh

partners to become major share-holders as Virgin itself went out toacquire Perth-based Skywest andbudget carrier Tigerair Australia.

There would be major expan-sions of lounges in Sydney andMelbourne, a new lounge inCairns and second lounge in Perthto accommodate charter andregional customers.

In addition to a world-classdomestic business class, the airlinelaunched complementary snackson major routes and rolled outwireless streaming across its

Continued from Page 25 Boeing 737 fleet.A revamped Velocity Frequent

Flyer program resulted in mem-bership topping 4.5 million andBorghetti would surprise the mar-ket by selling a stake in the loyaltyprogram with a target of boostingmembership to seven million overthree years.

Borghetti recalls getting on aplane about two years into thetransformation and trying to findsomething on the aircraft that wasunchanged. “Everything that Icould see was new, was different,’’he says.

Ultimately, he says, the airline

is about brand and services ratherthan aircraft. He also stronglybelieves it is about people and hehas added 4000 staff during histenure to bring the workforce tomore than 10,000. “Everyone fliesthe same aeroplanes, they’re justpainted a different colour,’’ hesays. “So what makes the differ-ence? The differences are the peo-ple and the way you project yourbrand. And a lot of airlines forgetthat’s what’s the business is about;it’s a service business, it happens tofly aeroplanes. We’ve tried tomaintain that philosophy and cer-tainly while I’m here we’ll keep it

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ID 369916595 PAGE 2 of 4

that way.’’ Borghetti is pleased by the rec-

ognition Virgin has received inbrand surveys, one of which put itas the nation’s third mostrespected, and the accolades it hasreceived. The airline this weekfound it had been voted one of thetop 10 business-class airlines in theworld by readers of Conde NastTraveller. “What the team havedone is nothing short of heroic,frankly — establishing yourbrand, positioning it in a way thatyou’re the third most respected,way ahead of your competitor,and also in recognition for the sec-tor of the market you said youwere going to target,’’ he says.

But it hasn’t all been gourmetfood and fine wines — there wereissues with the Virgin’s Navitairereservations system that led toflights being grounded and thelesser pain of transitioning to itsnew SabreSonic system.

Qantas also responded to theVirgin strategy and the resultantincrease in its fleet and number ofseats sparked a fare war and prof-

its tumbled at both airlines. TheFlying Kangaroo at one pointthought it had its rival on the ropesas Virgin continued to burnthrough cash but Virgin bolsteredits balance sheet with an en-hanced equipment note offeringand a controversial $350m rightsissue that resulted in its airlineshareholders increasing theirstakes in Virgin and joining thecompany’s board.

The Virgin rights issue prompt-ed Qantas to launch an unsuccess-ful lobbying campaign claimingforeign airlines were funding Vir-gin’s growth as part of a foreigntakeover of Australia’s skies.

The Virgin boss still finds ithard to believe the misunder-standing about Virgin’s part in theso-called “capacity war”.

He says the airline outlined itsfleet plan in his first 12 months andbrought up the same chart at everyresults presentation but there hadbeen a “shock, horror” reactionwhen the aircraft finally arrived.

The only additions to the plan,were a few ATR turboprops butpeople had not being paying at-tention, he says.

The introduction of widebodyA330s on transcontinental routes

saw a big increase in available seatkilometres but Borghetti believescommentators would have beenbetter off counting seats. He saysQantas counteracted Virgin’sASK boost to maintain their “so-called 65 per cent’’ market shareby putting in many more seats onshorter sectors such as Mel-bourne-Sydney. “Well you thensay look at the seats don’t look atthe kilometres and there’s nowonder what people found wasthat we were putting in somethinglike 500,000 to 600,000 seats andQantas putting in three millionseats because they were all onshort sectors. So I just found thatwhole thing quite bizarre,’’ he says.“But, you know what, you try andexplain it, people don’t under-stand it and you just move on.’’

While Borghetti says he’shappy with the current capacitygrowth, the network is the crucialthing because airlines need to flyto destinations passengers want tovisit at the time they want to go.“By network, I mean are you flyingthe right footprint and have yougot the right frequency,’’ he says.“And that’s what our fleet planwas all about from day one …. wenow have that. Sure there’ll

always be a bit of tweaking hereand there but we’ve got it.’’

Consumers benefited from theinflux of capacity with lower faresand Borghetti does not see an endto low lead-in fares as the averagecost of tickets trends upwards.

He notes that the same condi-tions that pushed down fares alsoprompted airlines to slash costs —Virgin has a $1 billion cost-reduction program — and thismeans a more sustainable indus-try as demand and supply becomecloser. What may change, though,is the proportion of cheap fares.

“It’s quantity rather than theabsolute number that willchange,’’ he says. “They’ll still begreat fares out there and they’ll bejust as good as they’ve ever been,in fact I can argue the case whereyou might see even better offers.”

The airline veteran has alwaysmaintained he is not after a speci-

fic market share but on capital-ising as much as possible in eachsegment. He believes this ap-proach using multiple brandsmarks a major difference from theQantas-Ansett duopoly.

He points to the decision toacquire 100 per cent of TigerairAustralia, saying he has no am-

bition for the budget airline to gain20 or 30 per cent of the market but for the carrier to find the level thatmakes sense to the group.

While conceding there havebeen concerns about the low-costcarrier, he defends the decision toretain the Tigerair name, arguingVirgin has been able to boost con-fidence in the brand.

A major problem at Tigerairwas the continual changes inmanagement, something Bor-ghetti says is now fixed under chiefexecutive Rob Sharp.

“He’s really consolidated thegroup, he’s improved its efficien-cies, improved its service prop-osition — and I emphasise serviceproposition not reinventing theproduct — and has started to buildscale again to get some of the effic-iencies,’’ he says.

Where Tigerair goes from herewill depend on the market butBorghetti is adamant the twobrands will never blur but stay intheir distinct segments.

Virgin has brought forward itsestimates for Tigerair’s profitabili-ty several times and is currentlysaying the end of fiscal 16.

So will it come forward again?“Frankly we’re very, very

happy with the progress we’remaking at Tiger,’’ Borghetti sayswith a smile.

Turning to Skywest, which hastargeted revenue to up to $200mby 2017, the Virgin chief acknowl-edges the slowdown in the resour-ces industry but notes Virgin stillhas a small slice of the market. “Soeven if the total pie has shrunk alittle it’s still a very big pie,’’ he says,adding that Virgin has brought tothe market competition and thelower pricing procurement offi-cers seek in hard times.

He expects Virgin Australia toremain a primarily a domestic car-rier but notes that doesn’t mean it

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ID 369916595 PAGE 3 of 4

might add or subtract routes.“We’re fortunate we’ve got fourinternational carriers as verystrong partners.”

Asked how partners have af-fected the transformation, Bor-ghetti says they have been “terrificpartners’ and continue to be so asboard members. It is business asusual in terms of the strategy.

“I think it’s a great testament tothe strategy that they, or some ofthem, have elected to buy into thecompany,’’ he says, adding that allof them at one point a have pub-licly endorsed the plan.

John Borghetti is pleased by the recognition Virgin has received in brand surveys, one of which put it as the nation’s third most respected

AFP

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ID 369916595 PAGE 4 of 4

Flight is forced to returnA JETSTAR flight bound forCairns was returned to Sydneyyesterday because of a faultyengine.

A Jetstar spokesman saidflight JQ938 took off fromSydney at 11.57am AEDT butreturned to the airport as theresult of an engine fault repor-ted about 20 minutes into theflight.

The spokesman said theplane’s captain requested a pri-ority landing and the aircraftlanded without incident.

“We put on an additionalflight to Cairns with anotheraircraft to ensure all passen-gers could reach their desti-nation as soon as possible,” hesaid.

“Engineers are assessing theaircraft in Sydney and we’llwork with the engine manu-facturer to determine thecause of the fault.”

The additional flight wasscheduled to land in Cairns at5.30pm yesterday.

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Weekend Post, Cairns07 Feb 2015


ID 369987980 PAGE 1 of 1

Red carpet’s ready for Chinese tourists THE t t f C i

[email protected]

THE streets of Cairns areawash in red as Chinese NewYear festivities get cracking.

The first of 23 direct dailyChina Eastern flights fromShanghai touched down atCairns Airport yesterdaymorning, bringing 300 travel-lers eager to see what the re-gion offered.

Pullman Reef Hotel Casino

executive director Allan Tansaid the property had beentransformed to make theguests feel at home.

“Our casino, hotel and CafeChina are themed to help cele-brate Chinese New Year ... a‘home away from home’,” MrTan said.

“We have lion dances, fire-crackers and extra Chinesespeaking hosts in the complex.

“We have promotional ini-tiatives for Chinese touristsand small gifts such as a Reefpen, a drink, fortune cookiesand entertainment vouchers.”

Mr Tan said the holiday pe-riod was always a “high” sea-son for the business.

“Hotel room bookings byChinese tourists are solid and

Cafe China is very busy withChinese tourists,” he said.

“As we head towards Chi-nese New Year’s Day on Feb-ruary 19, we expect moreChinese tourists in our com-plex and look forward to a busyFebruary.”

Cairns and District ChineseAssociation vice-presidentNathan Lee Long said the gov-ernment and the council as

well as businesses had throwntheir financial support behindthe festivities.

“The response from citytraders and the Cairns com-munity has been fantastic onceagain,” Mr Lee Long said.

“We are really looking for-ward to a wonderful festivalwhich combines Chinatownheritage with the most colour-ful and eclectic street in Cairns(Grafton St).”

Mr Lee Long said changesto improve the festival on Sat-urday, February 21, includedtwo stage areas, shaded seating

areas, an extension of the roadclosure to Shields St, morechildren’s entertainment andChinese food.

Cairns Airport chief execu-tive Kevin Brown said interna-tional and domestic flightswere expected to bring 20,000travellers.

“Our big welcome day will

be on February 21 as quite afew charters are arriving thatmorning,” he said.

Mr Brown said the festivi-ties were vital to maintain andgrow the region’s share of Chi-nese tourists.

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ID 369965202 PAGE 1 of 2

PARTY TIME: The Chen family, who arrived in Cairns on China Eastern’s first daily flight for the Chinese New Year.

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ID 369965202 PAGE 2 of 2

GOING AGAINST THE TIDE

CAT LINDSAY

Performance artists take the notion of alternate office space to the extreme by setting up shop in the sea

Take one shifting sandbar in themiddle of Currumbin Creek on theGold Coast, throw in two days oftidal action, unknown weatherconditions and a couple of

performance artists prepared to get extremely wet, and what do you have?

“A wilful and deliberate act of stupidity,” says performer Gavin Webber, who together with colleague Josh Thomson will don business suits and ties, grab their briefcases and dive into a marathon stint of sheer physical and mental endurance in an open-air “office” upon the sandbar.

Their performance, TIDE – which starts inthe water at 3pm on Friday, March 13, and returns to shore 48 hours later – is part of next month’s creative feast of music and arts, Bleach* Festival on the Gold Coast.

“We really have no idea what’s going to happen,” says Webber, 47, a joint artistic director of the recently formed Gold Coast contemporary dance company The Farm.

“We’re both kind of fascinated to know whatit’s going to be like.”

Taking the notion of alternate office space tothe extreme, their “workspace” will include a

desk, filing cabinet, one chair “to fight over”, a venetian blind and perhaps a doorway arch – with shifting sands and swirling seas underfoot and the distinct possibility of tidal immersion.

“The office furniture will go under, I’m sureof it, but everything depends on the tide atthat time of year and how high the sandbar is. We will check when we get closer and work out our plan,” Webber says.

“We have ideas of floating the desk, tetheredto its foundations. This gives us a raft of sorts …”

Back-up plan A, Webber says, will be the strategic location in a nearby boat of another member of The Farm, Ben Ely, from the band Regurgitator, who will play the guitar and provide a floating haven should their filing cabinet become totally submerged or snatches of sleep are required during the nights.

“There might be sharks, but we’ve been toldthat the creek is so populated with people most of the time that the sharks steer well clear of it. Of course, at night it’s another question, so we may opt for the boat when the tide is up.

“In the end, if we see anything big swimmingthrough the office door, we will definitely call for the boat and take a sickie.”

The performance will be a mixture of dance

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Sunday Mail Brisbane, Brisbane08 Feb 2015

U on Sunday, page 24 - 1,015.00 cm²Capital City Daily - circulation 393,766 (------S)

ID 369175936 PAGE 1 of 3

The flow: Gavin Webber (right) and Nat Kell try out the ocean workspace ahead of TIDE, part of the Bleach* Festival.

and improvisation as the office workers interact with changing conditions, planes flyingoverhead and members of the public passing or paddling by. Audience members opting to stay dry can be seated at various vantage points around the shore for a free viewing from Palm Beach Parklands and Currumbin Estuary.

“We have an idea thatthere’s a whole building around us … we know the walls, we know the rooms but nobody else can see them,” Webber says.

“We’ll have a little benchthat can be a waiting area so that others who use that space can be invited into the performance.

“ If they enter our office – even if they walk or paddle through a wall – we can reactto it, and we have a few ideas of what we can

do with them … maybe sell them real estate!”A seasoned choreographer, teacher and performer now based in Coolangatta,

Webber has a significant body of work to his credit both in

Australia and overseas,including co-founding with

Grayson Millard theperformance companiesSplinter Group andAnimal Farm Collective,and a four-year stint asartistic director ofDancenorth in Townsville

from 2005 to 2008.The following year saw a

return to Europe where hetoured and taught with

international companies such as Belgium-based Ultima Vez, and more recently served as resident choreographer for Theater Freiburg in Germany.

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ID 369175936 PAGE 2 of 3

Webber returned to Australia with his partner, dancer Kate Harman, about 18 months ago for the birth of their son Sam.

He says The Farm, which he jointly directswith the Berlin-based Millard, loosely evolved out of the Animal Farm Collective and will draw on a network of artists from Australia and overseas who have worked closely together for many years.

And with the Gold Coast adopting a strongcultural strategy in the lead-up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the timing to set up in this neck of the woods was serendipitous.

“The timing is almost like we planned it really well,” Webber says. “There’s a real curiosity among Gold Coast audiences and also a lot of challenges for us. We don’t have a studio yet and rather than fighting that, we decided we will use it as part of our creative philosophy.

“The idea is that we would take everythingthat we would normally do inside a theatre and put it outside where people can see it. We’re

opening ourselves in the biggest possible way.” Hence, the plan to perform the physically and mentally challenging TIDE, which Webber says is derived out the company’s first showin development, Cockfight, to be staged later this year.

“We’re calling TIDE a deliberate act of stupidity because there’s something symbolic in the extremity of the performance – it’s about our commitment to the coast,” he says.

“We want to show that we’re willing to take a really big risk and get uncomfortable, submit ourselves to the elements a little bit to see what happens.”

“I think we do have a maverick attitude, butthat’s the arts sometimes, and that’s something that fits with the spirit of the Gold Coast.”

Bleach* Festival goers can see Webber and Thomson perform on dry land too, at the free open-air dance class Sandy Cracks on Coolangatta beach, Saturday, March 7. Visit bleachfestival.com.au

THEOFFICE

FURNITURE WILL GO UNDER,

I’M SURE OF IT

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ID 369175936 PAGE 3 of 3

Bali flightscleared for Townsville takeoffANTHONY GALLOWAY

INTERNATIONAL flights be-tween Bali and Townsvillehave been given the green lightby the Federal Government.

Deputy Prime MinisterWarren Truss will travel toTownsville today to announcethat Townsville Airport will beable to operate internationalflights from March 1.

The airport has been in dis-cussions with AirAsia and Jet-star about direct flights, but thecost of customs, quarantineand border protection serviceshad been a sticking point.

Prime Minister Tony Ab-bott said increased visitornumbers would boost tourismin north Queensland and un-lock the region’s full potential.

“Opening Townsville Air-port to international flightshelps to deliver on the Govern-ment’s commitment to devel-oping the north,” he said.

Airport chief executiveKevin Gill said he hoped to es-tablish a permanent interna-tional airport.

“Townsville Airport wel-

comes the Abbott Govern-ment’s announcement toprovide border services to theairport, enabling us to attractinternational carriers acommence international serces. We particularly acknowedge the effort of Herbert MEwen Jones,” he said.

AirAsia has expressed inteest in commencing direflights between Townsviland Denpasar three times week, and discussions withTownsville Airport havebeen under way for sometime.

Jetstar has also expressedinterest in introducing direcflights to Bali in the second haof the year.

It’s not the first time international flights have been offered out of Townsville. Thairport was opened to international traffic in 1980, withQantas offering the last over-seas service in 2002 beforeStrategic Airlines revivedflights to Denpasar in 2010until the carrier’s collapse.

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Sunday Mail Brisbane, Brisbane08 Feb 2015, by Anthony Galloway

General News, page 15 - 114.00 cm²Capital City Daily - circulation 393,766 (------S)

ID 370276893 PAGE 1 of 1

TRAPSWITH PETER CAMERON [email protected]

GULAG EXPRESS ALL ABOARD THE

“GOLD Coast Gulag’’ talk hasmayor Tom Tate spitting chips asLabor’s Glitter Strip election black-out sinks in.

Labor also failed to win a seat onthe Sunshine Coast. The two re-gions were flush with LNP minis-ters but “Tom Terrific’’ is notexpecting a Gold Coast sideswipe ifLabor wins.

“If Gold Coast fires, Queenslandhums,’’ he says.

Cr Tate wants the LNP’s tram-way extension to Helensvale rail-way station finished in time for the2018 Commonwealth Games.

Labor bankrolled the Games,Convention Centre, Uni Hospital,Tugun bypass, tramway (pictured),Metricon and Skilled stadiums andracecourse redevelopment at Gold

Coast. Plus $18 million for Broad-water parklands.

But Labor may be more frugalwhile the LNP holds all 10 GoldCoast seats.

First Gold Coast stop before theHelensvale extension may be to as-sert control of influential Gamesmanagement well before the 2018election year.

Mayor Tate squashed councilchatter that Labor should intro-duce a Gold Coast Minister.“Someone had a brain explosion,’’he says. Or perhaps Gulag fever.

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Sunday Mail Brisbane, Brisbane08 Feb 2015, by Peter Cameraon


ID 370275484 PAGE 1 of 2

XPRESS OARD THE

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Sunday Mail Brisbane, Brisbane08 Feb 2015, by Peter Cameraon


ID 370275484 PAGE 2 of 2

Townsville’s gateway toworldTownsvilleAirportwill accept interna-tional flights fromMarch 1, PrimeMinis-ter TonyAbbott hasannounced.

MrAbbott,who facesa leadershipspill onTuesday, saidhewasdeter-mined toget onwithgovernmentashemade theannouncement inTownsvillewithhisdeputy JulieBishopbyhis side.

‘‘From the first ofMarch interna-tional flightswill be able to landherebecause the services to dealwith theirpassengerswill be available,’’MrAb-bott told reporters.

He said this showed thenorth ofAustraliawasopen for business.

‘‘Wewill be open for businesshere at Townsville Airport for inter-national flights andwecertainly aregoing tohelp tomakeTownsvilleanother gateway toAustralia. This isvery goodnews for Townsville.’’

Nationals LeaderWarrenTrusssaid thegovernment hadnot yetreceived any formal applicationsfromairlines to operate interna-tional services into Townsville.

But hewas confident boosting es-sential support services at the air-portwould ‘‘certainly attract the at-tention of airlines’’. AAP

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Sun Herald, Sydney08 Feb 2015

Regional Changes Qld, page 11 - 57.00 cm²Capital City Daily - circulation 257,630 (------S)

ID 370316412 PAGE 1 of 1

In for the long haulANTHONYGALLOWAY

[email protected]

JETSTAR wants to beginflights between Townsville andBali “as soon as possible” afterPrime Minister Tony Abbottdeclared the city is ready fortakeoff.

Flights to and from Auck-land are also on the cards, withTownsville Airport manage-ment looking to expand thecity’s offering of internationalflights in coming years.

Mr Abbott was in Towns-

ville on Saturday to announcethat the airport was cleared tooperate regular internationalflights from March 1.

The airport had been indiscussions with AirAsia andJetstar to begin direct flights toDenpasar, but the high cost ofproviding customs, quarantineand border protection serviceshad been a sticking point.

The Federal Governmenthas agreed to underwrite thecost of providing the services,as well as saving money byusing existing staff at Port ofTownsville.

Appearing alongsideDeputy Prime Minister War-ren Truss and Deputy Liberal

Leader Julie Bishop in Towns-ville, Mr Abbott said the citycould now serve as a gatewayto Australia.

“The North is not the last

frontier, it’s the next frontier,”he said.

Jetstar Australia and NewZealand CEO David Hall saidhe would now work towardsbringing international flightsto Townsville “as soon as poss-ible”.

“We have a good relation-ship with the airport and we’reoptimistic about reaching asustainable agreement thatwould enable us to launchflights to Bali in 2015,” he said.

Townsville Airport chiefexecutive Kevin Gill said theairport would explore addingmore international destina-tions in the coming years.

“We welcome Jetstar’s an-

nouncement and look forwardto finalising an arrangementwith them to commence servi-ces to Denpasar,” he said.

“The increase in the afford-ability of air travel generallyshould support further desti-nations in the medium term.”

Townsville Enterprise chiefexecutive Patricia O’Calla-ghan said the “wheels werenow in motion” to attractinternational flights beyondBali.

“This announcement is veryimportant because Jetstar willnow commit to advertising theregion, which will get theattention of other internation-al airlines,” she said.

LIFT-OFF AT LASTSLEEPS TIL

A LARGE MOB of kangaroos huddle in the scarce shade on the downs near Aramac. Locals say the kangaroo population has reached plague proportions, with the marsupials even invading backyards in Aramac and Muttaburra to feast on grass. Local kangaroo shooter Dave Coulton says the animals are thriving despite the continued drought.STORY PAGE 10

4

Bali

WOMANFITSBILL FORSHOETHEFT

MOZZIEARMYSET FORDENGUEWAR

PAGE 7

PAGE 2

[2.5KVA 6.5HP ENGINE]

GHOULISHGATHERINGI SAVVY

ANTHONY TEMPLETON

FLIGHTS between Townsville and Bali could commence in coming months but only if a way to reduce the cost of providing customs and quarantine services is found.

Townsville Airport and AirAsia have been in detailed discussions in a bid to begin offering international flights as the low-cost airline is looking to aggressively expand its profile and capacity in Australia.

The Bulletin understands

negotiations between the two organisations have centred around the airline providing three direct flights a week to Denpasar – a growing transport hub for Asia.

Despite positive negotiations between the airport and AirAsia,

the regulatory costs associated with providing customs and quarantine services may sink the plan through a larger ticket surcharge than those imposed at other international airports in Australia.

CONTINUED PAGE 5

EXCLUSIVE

FLY

international flights to city as Newman SYDNEYUNITESOVERLOSS

O F F I C E O FC A M P B E L L N E W M A N

PAGES 4-5

20SIGNS OFSUMMERIN THEVILLE

SAVVY

Jetstar plans to introduce international flightsnext year but a stalemate over “passenger movement charges” has stalled the decision.Passengers would pay $90 to cover c t

A SECOND airline wants to offer direct flights from Townsville to Bali but has refused to commit until exorbitant custom d i i

The cost is also a sticking point for Air Asia, which is keen to open flights on the same route.Premier Campbell Newman has vowed to lobby

VICTORIA NUGENT

How the Townsville Bulletin has covered the city’s bid for international flights.

‘‘FEDERAL MP EWEN JONES

To preserve what you havetoday, you have to...

P L A NT O M O

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ID 370562209 PAGE 1 of 1

Coalition mustshow votersreal substanceTONY Abbott has repeatedly said he does not want the Coalition to turn into Labor.

“We are not Labor and this Game of Thronescircus which the Labor Party gave us is never going to be reproduced by this Coalition,” he said while in Townsville on Saturday morning.

But the Coalition is acting exactly like Labor,with a leadership challenge against a first-term prime minister to take place this morning.

The Abbott Government should be applauded for delivering on a lot of the promises it took to the 2013 election; scrapping the carbon tax and mining tax and stopping the boats have been significant achievements.

However, the Government has also brokena lot of promises – including cutting funding for the ABC and education, and floating the GP co-payment – while last year’s budget was seen by many in the community as disproportionately targeting those on lower incomes.

The Government’s paltry pay rise for Australian Defence Force personnel was also a mistake, especially during a period when it committed more troops to overseas deployments.

If Malcolm Turnbull does challenge Mr Abbott for the leadership this morning, he needs to spell out how he would address these fundamental issues.

If the Coalition does not address many of itsunpopular policies, they will be voted out at the next election, no matter who is the leader.

The reason for removing a prime minister cannot be justified by bad polls alone, as was the case when Kevin Rudd was deposed in 2010.

Meanwhile, Mr Abbott’s announcement inTownsville that the city will be open for international flights could be his final achievement as prime minister.

He should be commended making this a priority this week, despite the leadership chaos tearing his government apart.

The announcement does not just mean flights to the Indonesian island of Bali, with other destinations such as Auckland on New Zealand’s North Island also on Townsville Airport’s radar.

This could help establish Townsville as a tourism gateway to Australia, diversifying the city’s economy over the coming decades.

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Townsville Bulletin, Townsville QLD09 Feb 2015


ID 370561812 PAGE 1 of 1

YOUR STATEQUEENSLAND

Townsville Airport goes international TONY Abbott has announced that Townsville Airport will accept international flights from March 1. Despite facing a leadership spill, Mr Abbott said he was determined to get on with government as he made the announcement in the north Queensland city at the weekend with his deputy Julie Bishop by his side. “From the 1st of March international flights will be able to land here because the services to deal with their passengers will be available,” Mr Abbott said. He said the announcement showed the north of Australia was open for business. “We will be open for business here at Townsville Airport for international flights and we certainly are going to help to make Townsville another gateway to Australia. Nationals leader Warren Truss said the government had not yet received any formal applications from airlines to operate international services in to Townsville. But he was confident boosting essential support services at the airport would “certainly attract the attention of airlines … We have had positive responses from a couple of likely operators,” Mr Truss said.

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The Australian, Australia09 Feb 2015

Edition Changes - QLD First, page 2 - 74.00 cm²National - circulation 116,854 (MTWTF)

ID 370578035 PAGE 1 of 1

14 NEWS

WITH CHIEF REPORTER KATHLEEN SKENE

Email: [email protected]

SIMON Gloftis has combined his two loves – food and family – to create two of the Gold Coast’s best-loved restaurants, Hellenika and The Fish House. He believes innovation and enterprise are being strangled by red tape – stopping the city from reaching its full potential.What do you love about the Gold Coast?

“I love the Gold Coast because it’s easy – it’s easy to grab a coffee, it’s easy to get to the beach, it’s easy to get a good meal. It’s easy to have a good time.”

What do you think couldbe done better on the Gold Coast?

“We haven’t been the best atopening up opportunities to invest our hard-earned money here on the Coast. At present it’s damn near impossible to get some projects off the ground due to outdated, silly little hurdles we need to jump through.

“Let’s open the door a littleand keep our investment dollarswhere they belong – right here.”

In your travels, what haveyou seen being done elsewhere you think could work well here?

“The Gold Coast needs to

embrace events and festivals.“When you go to Hong Kong,

there’s something on every day – it makes the city buzz.

“I can’t think of one good reason why we can’t have events like the Magic Millions, the boat show, food festivals and events like that on every single week.”

If money, laws, time andapprovals were no issue, what is one big project you’d undertake tomorrow?

“I would beg, borrow and steal to turn Coolangatta Airport into the world’s best boutique international airport.

“The knock-on effect wouldbe enormous – it’s a no-brainer.

“I do travel a lot, I go to a lotof smaller towns because of the food and the Gold Coast could easily have the world’s best boutique international airport.

“We could have airlines coming here from really cool places – high-quality airlines, even the private planes.

“At the moment it’s a bit tough out there.

“I would take anything I can,I would get government, private enterprise as well – to build properly, from scratch.

“It would be the lifeblood ofthe Gold Coast and the ripple effect would be felt forever.

“I think some high-quality business lounges, some high-quality food outlets.

“The new Qantas lounge inLA is amazing. It is seriously world class – a proper business lounge. It just brings a different class of people – people who want to do business.”

What conversations should Gold Coast movers and shakers be having?

“In the past, the success ofthe Gold Coast squarely relied

on our theme parks, our beaches, weather and not much else. We’re not that place anymore, we have matured.

“These days, people travel tous for sporting events, conventions, foodie trips and world-class restaurants, just to mention a few.

“The movers and shakers ofthe Coast should be aiming to cut red tape and embrace the

GCBE01Z01MA - V1

imaginations of our sharpest minds so that we can find out exactly what our visitors want, what our locals need and then give it to them.”

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Gold Coast Bulletin, Gold Coast QLD09 Feb 2015

General News, page 14 - 1,129.00 cm²Regional - circulation 31,017 (MTWTF--)

ID 370557085 PAGE 1 of 3

When you go to Hong Kong, there’s something on every day – it makes the city buzz. I can’t think of one good reason why we can’t have events like the Magic

Millions, the boat show, food festivals and events like that on every single week

CHECKLISTBOUTIQUE GCAIRPORT

KEEP TOUGH LAWS ON CRIME

LIGHT RAILEXTENSION

EXCESSIVERED TAPE

COMMONSENSEBUILDING LAWS

SIMON GLOFTISIF the cutlery inked inside his left wrist tells you that Simon Gloftis loves food, the tattoo of his grandmother’s fish soup recipe is a further clue about the part his family played in shaping the acclaimed restaurateur. As a boy growing up in Melbourne, Mr Gloftis was mesmerised by the rich sounds and smoky smells of his godfather’s Greek taverna, where he would stand at the kitchen door eating pieces of Greek cheese and pickled octopus amid the clatter and hum of dishes and conversation. It was the memory of these warm nights that would bring him back to food after a few stints in other careers – real estate and jewellery sales – and eventually saw him open his “dream”, Hellenika, at Nobby’s Beach.

After four years of wrangling with building owners and the council, The Fish House opened at Burleigh. Both now enjoy icon status among the city’s eateries.

“I travel a lot for food – itdoes consume my day-to-day thoughts and every trip when I go away, it’s all about food,” he said.

“When I went to the States at the end of last year – it was actually for a birthday, but while I did that I was in LA for 10 days but when I left, I booked 15 restaurants – it’s always about food for me.”

But could there be a thirdGloftis creation in the works?

“I’ve always said that these two would be great – I’m lucky enough that they’re both sort of iconic on the Gold Coast and I thought that might do me – but I just like creating new things.

“It’s not boredom – it’s never about money, it’s just that I like to create.

“I like to do a restaurantfrom the start to the finish – I like picking the spot, negotiating the deal, doing the design myself, doing the menus, talking to the chefs. I fly around the country, see the suppliers, make sure I’ve got the best of the best.”

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ID 370557085 PAGE 3 of 3

Mayoral snub for CoeyLord of London Olympics impressed with Coast and Griffith track but Tate misses date

MACKENZIE [email protected]

THE brainchild of the success-ful London Olympics has givena glowing endorsement of theGold Coast’s scope to host alucrative CommonwealthGames, despite being stood upby Mayor Tom Tate.

Former Olympic championrunner and London Gamescreator Lord Sebastian Coe, onthe Coast for a fleeting visit,said the city was on track tohost a “very impressive” Com-monwealth Games in 2018.

“When a sporting event thesize and complexity of theCommonwealth Games comesto a community you need tomake the most of the com-munity’s potential but also re-member that it is internationaland you want the impact to be

felt far and wide of the GoldCoast,” the chairman of the2012 London Olympics organ-ising committee said.

“The event itself will helpsecure some of the tourism andsport-related activities theGold Coast is renowned for ...(and) I think the Gold Coastorganising committee aremaking a good job of it.”

Lord Coe was to present theInternational Association ofAthletics Federations (IAAF)certification of Griffith Univer-sity's athletics track yesterday.

However the event wascancelled when Mayor Tom

Tate pulled out at the last min-ute, forgoing the opportunityfor a firsthand insight into howto create a successful Gamesand long-standing legacy.

Calls to Cr Tate’s adviser re-questing a reason for his can-

cellation went unanswered.Lord Coe said he was on the

Gold Coast for the OceaniaOlympic Committee forumand was disappointed the Grif-fith University presentationhad been cancelled.

“I understand the mayorwas unable to make the meet-ing ... it’s a shame, I was lookingforward to that,” he said.

“(The track) is a fantasticfacility and it is absolutely cru-cial that my sport, the largestOlympic sport, always has theopportunity to encourageyoung people to get involved inproper facilities.

“The certification of thetrack has been agreed, (yester-day) was just formalising it.”

A Griffith Universityspokesman said the track’scertification was in line with itspopularity among top sportingstars. “The track was refurbish-ed last year which was an op-portune time to make sure thatit went up a notch,” he said.

While the CommonwealthGames are still a few yearsaway Lord Coe said the processof preparing for such a largeevent was slow and difficult.

“It’s a very long slog andnothing happens overnight butyou have to keep local com-munities engaged and neverforget to remind people whyyou are doing it,” he said.

Lord Coe is due to returnhome to the UK tonight.

“It’s been nice being on theGold Coast.

“I have enjoyed being ableto run in the morning without37 layers of clothing.”

Sebastian Coe and Tom Tate.

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Gold Coast Bulletin, Gold Coast QLD09 Feb 2015, by Mackenzie Ravn

General News, page 3 - 276.00 cm²Regional - circulation 31,017 (MTWTF--)

ID 370556606 PAGE 1 of 1

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