Mr NATHAN HAGARTY (Leppington) (18:30): Today I speak about a significant milestone for my electorate, my region and for our great nation: Western Sydney airport, which will open in late 2026. The airport is about to become a real airport. This week, residents in my part of the world will notice a couple of twin‑engine aircraft flying at low altitude in unusual patterns. They are witnessing a critical step towards making the airport fully operational: the safety checks conducted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority [CASA]. These low-level validation flights are being carried out to ensure the safe implementation of the new instrument approach procedures at Western Sydney airport, as well as updated procedures for neighbouring Bankstown and Richmond airports.

Helicopter flight paths tests to hospitals, including Westmead Hospital, are being conducted today and tomorrow. The CASA test flights involve Cessna Conquest aircraft flying within a 40-kilometre radius around the airport, sometimes only a few hundred feet above the ground. This may look out of the ordinary, but it is a vital part of ensuring that flight paths are clear of any uncharted obstacles, such as towers, trees or new developments that could pose a risk to aviation safety. These checks are not only standard practice, but also a necessary part of CASA's strict regulatory process to ensure our skies remain among the safest in the world.

This is just one of many major trial activities now well underway at Western Sydney airport. Earlier today, the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, the Hon. Catherine King, said on TV that this week Cessnas are testing the flight paths, next week a Boeing 737 will be testing flight paths, and baggage handling systems are also being tested. There will also be an emergency operations test for fire services and other emergency procedures. This is building momentum towards the first real flights for passenger services at the end of 2026 and for freight mid-2026. There is an unmistakeable energy and excitement building across Western Sydney—in fact, I am sure right across the nation—as our newest international airport in 50 years starts to come alive and get ready for day one. With flights now being tested, Western Sydney airport is no longer an idea that has been promised for decades. It is real; it is there; it is tangible.

This week also marks a major milestone in the trial program, with operational exercises shifting from construction readiness to aviation operations. As detailed in a recent press release, systems such as the baggage handling infrastructure, passenger screening and digital wayfinding are now being activated and tested. It does not stop there. An emergency response exercise involving New South Wales police, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Ambulance, the RFS and the SES will be held on the site in coming weeks. Those amazing agencies, alongside Federal bodies like CASA and Airservices Australia, will simulate a real-world aviation emergency, testing coordination and response capacity across terminals, tarmacs and emergency services command centres.

It is important to acknowledge the incredible work that is happening, and has been happening for many years, behind the scenes at the Western Sydney airport, especially as we get to the crux of the airport's development. Engineers, aviation experts, safety regulators and countless construction workers have brought this fabulous project to the brink of completion. Their efforts will ensure that this airport will not only open on time but also have the highest standards of safety and functionality of any airport anywhere in the world.

Western Sydney International Airport is a generational opportunity. This curfew-free, 24/7 airport will unlock economic growth and provide long‑overdue connectivity to one of the fastest growing regions in Australia and the place I call home: south-western Sydney. It will create tens of thousands of jobs, both during construction and when operating, supporting the livelihoods of families across Western Sydney. It will provide businesses with global reach and give residents the convenience and pride of having a world-class airport right in their backyard. This is a genuine turning point for south-western Sydney and it is happening right now. I commend everyone involved for their tireless work. I look forward to taking a flight from there soon.