TRANSCRIPT: REMARKS TO THE AUSTRALIAN AVIATION HALL OF FAME, 16 November 2019

E&OE

Subjects: Acknowledging the inductees of the Aviation Hall of Fame.

MICHAEL MCCORMACK:

… and I too acknowledge John Fleming, a centenary, how good is the fact that you’re here, John. And thank you very, very much for what you’ve done for our nation. Our nation is indebted to people just like Mr Fleming. Our nation is indebted to our brave men and women of the Royal Australian Air Force, many of whom took part in the Royal Air Force and let me tell you, to be a tail gunner on one of those airplanes, literally on a wing and a prayer – a wing and many prayers – to think that they flew those sorties over war-torn Europe at a time when the world was so, so difficult. Such trying times. They are truly inspirational. And we’ve seen just this week with many of those who are flying helicopters and water bombers, flying over those bushfire areas of Australia, and how low they’re going and how many hours they’re working just how brave Australians are in difficult times.

We tonight acknowledge another group of individuals who will join that pantheon of praise in the Hall of Fame, the Aviation Hall of Fame. Yes, started at Wagga Wagga. Indeed, if you come from a regional centre, you know how important aviation is because it is the gateway not just to the state, not just to the nation, but indeed to the world. And I know Rod Kendall, a former Mayor of Wagga Wagga, who’s a board member with AAHOF, I know he acknowledges just how important aviation is to our regional towns, to our regional communities.

I’m really glad tonight for the great mate of mine, Andrew Hamilton and his wife Fiona are here. I owe my life to Andrew because we were flying over Boston back in- I think it was about 1993 when the joystick came out of the airplane and it fell out sight and he was actually flying the plane, indicated that he hadn’t flown for about nine months. Andrew reminded me of the story tonight and we were very much in Andrew’s hands and he successfully landed us as a good [inaudible] always does. And fact is, probably if you want to blame the fact that I am here tonight, well blame Andrew.

[Laughter]

I always mention Andrew and Rod too because I know John Egan is hovering around here taking photos because they come from the Riverina and they can vote for me and of course, everything as a politician is always about votes. But I have to tell you I’m not going to talk for long because we’ve got a wonderful dinner and I know these events and Steve [indistinct] knows all too well they are about the inductees, they’re about the families, they’re about the stories that made those people great aviators. They are about the people who made our aviation industry and sector so strong.

We need a strong aviation sector. Your Federal Government backs it all the way. We will continue to do so because we know that whether you live in a regional area or whether you live in even say Western Sydney where the new Nancy-Bird Walton Airport is continuing at a pace. We are growing that marvellous piece of infrastructure. We very much look forward to it taking its place in the great airports, not just of our country, but of the world.

Thank you ladies and gentlemen for your involvement, your presence here today. Particularly thank you to those people from the Air Force. You have helped protect our country, you have helped make our country what it is today and for any serviceman and woman here today- tonight, we say we owe you a debt of gratitude. Thank you very much.

[Applause]