Commonwealth Numbered Acts

AIRPORTS ACT 1996 No. 42, 1996 - SECT 4

The following is a simplified outline of this Act:
. This Act sets up a system for regulating airports.
. A Commonwealth-owned airport can only be leased to a company. The company is
called an airport-lessee company.
. There will only be one airport-lessee company for each airport and the
company will not be allowed to lease another airport.
. An airport-lessee company's sole business will be to run the airport.
. An airport-lessee company can contract out the management of the airport to
another company. The other company is called an airport-management company.
. This Act uses the term airport-operator company to cover both airport-lessee
companies and airport-management companies.
. Airport-operator companies are subject to the following ownership
restrictions:

   (a)  a 49% limit on foreign ownership;

   (b)  a 5% limit on airline ownership;

   (c)  a 15% limit on cross-ownership for Sydney/Melbourne, Sydney/Brisbane
        and Sydney/Perth airports.
. For each airport, there will be an airport master plan.
. Major development plans will be required for significant developments at
airports.
. Building activities on airport sites will require approval.
. Buildings and structures on airport sites must be certified as fit for
occupancy or use.
. For each airport, there will be an environment strategy.
. The regulations may deal with environmental standards at airport sites.
. An airport-operator company may be required to give accounts and reports to
the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will monitor the quality
of airport services and facilities.
. Airport-lessee companies must give written consent before airport sites are
varied or closed.
. The regulations may implement certain international agreements relating to
airports.
. The regulations may deal with the control of the following matters at
airports:

   (a)  liquor;

   (b)  commercial trading;

   (c)  vehicle movements;

   (d)  gambling;

   (e)  smoking.
. The regulations may control intrusions into prescribed airspace around
airports.
. An airport service will be a declared service for the purposes of the access
regime set out in Part IIIA of the Trade Practices Act  1974 unless an access
undertaking is given within 12 months after responsibility for the airport is
transferred to the private sector.
. The Minister may formulate demand management schemes for airports.
. Airservices Australia will generally oversee the provision of air traffic
services and rescue and fire fighting services at airports.