This bill became law on Dec 10th, 2024.
Culture, sport & community
Sydney Airport can temporarily lift its hourly flight cap from 80 to 85 for up to two hours on a disrupted day, so delayed flights can be cleared faster.
Severe weather and other major disruptions left Sydney Airport unable to clear delayed flights quickly, and slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time. misuse and weak transparency created inefficiencies. The bill lets the airport briefly raise the hourly cap during recovery periods and strengthens slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time. rules, penalties, ministerial oversight and publication powers.
Sydney Airport had long operated under a 1997 cap-and-curfewThe overnight ban on flights at Sydney Airport, which the bill leaves in place. system with an 80-movements-an-hour limit and slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time. controls, but a 2021 review found the scheme needed updating and, by 2024, severe weather disruptions and slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time. hoarding were adding to delays and inefficiency at the country's busiest airport. After the government announced a reform package in February 2024, the bill was introduced in October and passed in November, becoming law in December 2024 to allow short recovery-period cap lifts while tightening slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time. allocation, enforcement and transparency.
The main criticism was that the bill is only a limited, partial fix that may not do enough to stop slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time. hoarding, lift competition or lower fares, while its temporary recovery-hour flexibility could also add noise for nearby residents. That case was raised most strongly by Monique Ryan, with narrower or conditional reservations from some crossbenchers and the Coalition, even though several still supported the bill's overall direction.
Hon Catherine King MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 10 Dec 2024
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
2 recorded amendment or procedural votes were found, but no counted vote on the bill itself was recorded.
Passage speed
62 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
Sydney Airport can temporarily lift its hourly flight cap from 80 to 85 for up to two hours on a disrupted day, so delayed flights can be cleared faster.
Sydney Airport still cannot go above 1,360 flights a day outside curfewThe overnight ban on flights at Sydney Airport, which the bill leaves in place. hours, so the new recovery periods do not remove the daily cap.
Airlines using Sydney Airport now face civil penalties for wasting slots, flying without a slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time., running too far outside their slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time. time, breaking slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time. conditions, or holding slots they do not plan to use.
The federal Transport Minister, not the slot managerThe body that administers Sydney Airport's slot system and publishes information about how slots are being used., now has to make the rules for how Sydney Airport take-off and landing slots are allocated and managed.
The law adds stronger transparency powers, including powers to demand documents and publish information about how Sydney Airport slots are allocated, used and enforced.
During each recovery period, there can be up to 85 movements per hour for up to two hours which will allow up to 10 additional movements to help address a backlog of flights impacted by a significant disruption.Sydney Airport Demand Management Amendment explanatory memorandum
(1B) The total number of *aircraft movements at Sydney Airport in a day must not exceed 1,360 movements outside the *curfew period for the day.Sydney Airport Demand Management Amendment Act 2024 final Act text
This Part contains civil penalties for slot misuse at Sydney Airport.Sydney Airport Demand Management Amendment Act 2024 final Act text
(1) The Minister must, by legislative instrument, make a scheme (the Slot Management Scheme) for the allocation and management of permissions for *gate movements at Sydney Airport.Sydney Airport Demand Management Amendment Act 2024 final Act text
The Bill contains a range of enhanced transparency requirements to support the modernised compliance regime. This includes powers for the Minister to require the production of information or documents and share information with relevant parties, including civil penalty provisions for not complying with these obligations. The Bill creates the ability for the regulations to provide for the publication of information about the allocation or use of slots and gate movements at Sydney Airport, compliance with the Act, performing functions, or exercising powers, under the Act and administering or enforcing civil penalty provision of the Act. The Bill also includes protections for protected information.Sydney Airport Demand Management Amendment explanatory memorandum
Context
Sydney Airport had long operated under a 1997 cap-and-curfewThe overnight ban on flights at Sydney Airport, which the bill leaves in place. system with an 80-movements-an-hour limit and slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time. controls, but a 2021 review found the scheme needed updating and, by 2024, severe weather disruptions and slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time. hoarding were adding to delays and inefficiency at the country's busiest airport. After the government announced a reform package in February 2024, the bill was introduced in October and passed in November, becoming law in December 2024 to allow short recovery-period cap lifts while tightening slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time. allocation, enforcement and transparency.
Sydney Airport cap, curfewThe overnight ban on flights at Sydney Airport, which the bill leaves in place. and slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time. scheme are put in place
The Sydney Airport Demand Management Act 1997The older law this bill updates; it sets the rules for Sydney Airport's curfew, movement cap and slot system. set the airport's curfewThe overnight ban on flights at Sydney Airport, which the bill leaves in place., hourly movement capThe maximum number of aircraft movements allowed in a set period, such as per hour or per day, at Sydney Airport. and slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time. framework to manage noise and constrained capacity.
Hansard ↗Harris ReviewThe 2021 review that examined Sydney Airport's demand management scheme and recommended changes. recommends changes to Sydney Airport demand management
The explanatory memorandum says the bill followed stakeholder engagement and consultation through the 2021 Review of the Sydney Airport Demand Management Scheme.
Australian Parliament House ↗Government announces a Sydney Airport demand-management reform package
In her second reading speech, Catherine King said she had announced a major package in February 2024 to improve use of the airport while keeping community protections.
Hansard ↗Bill is introduced to lift disruption recovery capacity and tighten slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time. rules
The bill was introduced with measures to let Sydney Airport briefly raise the hourly cap on disrupted days and strengthen slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time. allocation, penalties, oversight and publication powers.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Parliament passes the bill
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing its parliamentary passage as part of the government's aviation reform program.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Royal AssentThe final step that turns the bill into an Act of Parliament. turns the bill into law
Royal AssentThe final step that turns the bill into an Act of Parliament. made the reforms law, clearing the way for recovery-period cap lifts and stronger slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time. enforcement at Sydney Airport.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Referred to Committee (10/10/2024): Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee; Committee report (19/11/2024)
Referred to committee
APH bill page notesThe bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Reported from Federation Chamber
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns the bill into an Act of Parliament., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main criticism was that the bill is only a limited, partial fix that may not do enough to stop slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time. hoarding, lift competition or lower fares, while its temporary recovery-hour flexibility could also add noise for nearby residents. That case was raised most strongly by Monique Ryan, with narrower or conditional reservations from some crossbenchers and the Coalition, even though several still supported the bill's overall direction.
Most criticism went to scope, safeguards and follow-through rather than rejecting the bill's core purpose outright.
Too limited to fix competition
Critics argued the bill makes some useful procedural changes but leaves out bigger reforms needed to curb slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time. hoarding, open access at Sydney Airport and give consumers lower prices and more choice.
Noise and community impact from recovery periods
Some MPs warned that letting the hourly cap rise from 80 to 85 during disruption recovery could be too open-ended in practice and unfairly increase aircraft noise unless community engagement and protections are clear.
Not enough scrutiny and safeguards
The Coalition said the bill was introduced late, without drafted regulations, and needed Senate inquiryA parliamentary committee process that can examine a bill and test whether its details work as intended. testing before Parliament could be confident the new slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time.-management rules would work fairly and as intended.
Missed stronger independence and review measures
Defeated amendments show some senators wanted stronger safeguards, including preventing airline ownership of the slot managerThe body that administers Sydney Airport's slot system and publishes information about how slots are being used. and requiring an early independent review of how the law works.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices. The counted divisions below were about amendments or procedure, not final passage.
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Amendments grouped by chamber. These cards include amendment outcomes recorded without a counted division.
Senate
Defeated 13 to 33. Support came from Greens and Australia's Voice. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
The vote left the bill without the Greens proposal for a stronger ownership restriction on the Sydney Airport Slot ManagerThe body that administers Sydney Airport's slot system and publishes information about how slots are being used..
Defeated 13 to 33. Support came from Greens and Australia's Voice. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
The proposal failed, so the bill did not gain the extra ownership restriction on the Sydney Airport Slot ManagerThe body that administers Sydney Airport's slot system and publishes information about how slots are being used..
Senator Lambie’s proposal was defeated on voices and would have required an independent review of the ActThe older law this bill updates; it sets the rules for Sydney Airport's curfew, movement cap and slot system.’s operation to start after 12 months, with a written report to the Minister and tabling in Parliament.
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
These are amendment votes, not the final passage vote on the bill itself. The bill passed both chambers on the voices.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Ms King supports the bill and says it is the next step in major aviation reforms to make Sydney Airport more transparent, competitive and resilient while keeping community protections in place.
Read in Hansard ↗Ryan opposes the bill because, while it includes a few sensible reporting and disruption measures, she says it leaves out the major reforms needed to curb slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time. hoarding and improve competition at Sydney Airport.
Read in Hansard ↗Watson-Brown says the Greens will support the bill in the House, but only as a limited step because they think it is piecemeal reform that leaves the wider aviation system unchanged and still too favourable to big airlines.
Read in Hansard ↗Kylea Tink says she supports most of the bill's reforms to Sydney Airport's slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time. management and transparency rules, but she is not comfortable with the change to the 80 movements cap unless the community is properly engaged and noise protections are preserved.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
3 speakers · 4 contributions · 3 support
“This Bill takes the next step in implementing Sydney Airport reforms to deliver better outcomes for the Australian travelling public.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This is the government making sure that we are doing our best to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the operation of Sydney airport, to improve competitiveness, to improve rights for consumers and to ensure that consumers get a better deal from the airport. Most importantly, the minister has also listened and balanced those issues with the rights of residents in the local community that I represent to ensure that they continue to get access to those important hours, particularly at night, of peace and quiet at home with their family. I commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Catherine King on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Minister's second reading speech
Ms King supports the bill and says it is the next step in major aviation reforms to make Sydney Airport more transparent, competitive and resilient while keeping community protections in place. She argues the changes will improve slotA slot is permission for an airline to take off or land at Sydney Airport at a particular time. management, reduce misuse, and help regional and travelling passengers.
“This bill takes the next step in implementing our Sydney airport reforms to better deliver outcomes for the Australian travelling public.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Ms King supports the bill and says it is part of broader reforms to Sydney Airport demand management that will improve efficiency, transparency and consumer outcomes while protecting regional access and community noise protections.
“This bill really is a central part of the broader reforms to Sydney airport demand management. That is the subject and focus of this bill. It is another step of the government's active reforms to improve aviation in this country—reforms that will crack down on poor behaviour by the airlines and get a better deal for consumers. Sydney airport is Australia's most significant international gateway and a critical hub of the national aviation network. The efficiency and effectiveness of operations at the airport does have a significant impact on many Australians. So it is right that the reforms proposed in this bill ensure the airport is used to deliver better efficiency, enhanced competition and better consumer outcomes. The bill does this by adjusting the settings of the demand management framework so that access to the airport can be managed more efficiently and effectively while maintaining aviation access for regional New South Wales communities and upholding existing community protections from the impacts of aircraft noise.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
2 speakers · 2 mixed
“The coalition has spoken to a large number of stakeholders about the legislation, and I thank them for providing their feedback to the opposition. Stakeholders consulted included airlines, airports, travel agents and other travel industry representatives. We've also heard the evidence of competition experts through the Commonwealth bilateral air services agreements Senate inquiry last year. The coalition wants to see a more reliable and competitive aviation sector. As stated earlier, the coalition has concerns and issues in relation to the government's bill, which we believe should be raised and examined through the Senate inquiry process. This inquiry process will inform our final position on the government's bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The inquiry process will inform the coalition's final position on the government's bill, but I do reiterate that we support the intent and the goals herein, and all of our constituents deserve our full attention and support in relation to safeguards in this critical transport link now and for years to come.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
3 speakers · 2 support · 1 mixed
“Ultimately, this bill represents more of the same: performative aviation industry reform with some piecemeal changes to a system that fundamentally undermines the real interests of our communities. The Greens will support the passage of this bill through the House, and we will reserve our position in the Senate.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Now we see the government preserving and protecting the cap and curfew at Sydney airport, and the Greens have moved an amendment calling on the government to consider a cap and curfew for other airports, including Brisbane.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Sydney Airport Demand Management Amendment Bill 2024 makes changes to the slot regime at Sydney airport to ensure viability of operations. It also works alongside the Sydney Airport Demand Management Act, which opposes a curfew between 11 pm and 6 am, as well as hourly caps on aircraft movements. It's not a perfect set-up, but inner Sydney will remain protected, by the curfew and these caps, from the worst of flight noise.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
4 speakers · 2 support · 1 oppose · 1 mixed
“From the outset, I want to confirm that my community does, at this stage, broadly support much-needed reforms to the Sydney Airport demand management framework, but it must be said that this support comes with a caveat. The community expects to be respected and fully engaged in any reform process. Ultimately, the proposed reforms to the slot management scheme generally align with the various recommendations of the Harris review undertaken in 2021 and, before that, the Productivity Commission's 2019 inquiry into the economic regulation of airports.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill fails to address a number of the significant reforms which were put on the table by reviews of the Productivity Commission, the Harris review and the government's own aviation white paper. It doesn't increase flexibility for the slot manager to re-time slots or give airlines greater flexibility to use different sized aircraft. It doesn't adopt the suggested international definition of 'new entrants' or the internationally adopted definition of 'slot misuse'. It doesn't change how the hourly movement cap is actioned.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“While I support this bill, celebration is a bit premature. This bill will make rather modest changes to the operations of Sydney airport, with only three of the eight reforms signalled in the Aviation white paper covered. The remaining five are expected to be delivered under reforms affecting the slot management system and demand management regulations. The government has not shared details of what these changes will be, and we cannot be sure if they will go appropriately far enough.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Overall, the aim of this bill is to increase competition, demand greater accountability from airlines and offer better protections for Australian travellers. I welcome that. These are much-needed reforms to the slot management system, in particular at Sydney airport. Any measure that promotes integrity and transparency in business operations is a welcome measure, but there are further recommendations that need acting upon, and I urge the government to do so as soon as possible.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Referred to Federation Chamber
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Reported from Federation Chamber
Reported from Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns the bill into an Act of Parliament., turning the bill into an Act.
Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee; Committee report (19/11/2024)
Referred to committee
Referred to Committee (10 Oct 2024): Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee; Committee report (19 Nov 2024)
APH bill page notes
