INDONESIA: Check Your Passport For Any Damage Before Traveling To Indonesia

Bali-bound travellers are being refused entry to Indonesia for using damaged passports, as the Indonesian government strictly enforces its immigration laws, demanding "good" condition passports from tourists.

Indonesian immigration authorities have cracked down on tourists travelling with damaged passports in recent months, after the story of a British couple who flew to Bali in October but were denied entry because of a travel document with a missing chunk, their excuse was - the dog tried to eat it

The West Australian, authorities in Indonesia have begun enforcing a US$5,000 fine on airlines that allow travellers with damaged passports to board flights to the Southeast Asian nation and passengers at Perth airport were being turned away because of these tighter restrictions.

Speaking to The West Australian, a passenger whose partner had been refused boarding of a Batik Air flight to Bali was told that 20 tourists had been stopped from travelling to Bali for the same reason in the past month.

An increasing number of tourists have reportedly been refused entry to Bali because their passports were considered "damaged" by Indonesian immigration authorities.

This month The Daily Mail reported that a 16-year-old girl was blocked from entering Bali and forced to spend 11 hours in an airport before she was sent home because of a tear in her passport.

In November, a newlywed couple from UK celebrating their honeymoon with a £4,000 trip to Bali were also reportedly denied access to the island after their dog had chewed the corner of the groom's passport.

But to what extent does a damaged passport normally preclude travel?

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) explains what are the categorisations of damaged passport on their website.

Damaged passports

It is your responsibility to keep your passport intact and in good condition.

Normal wear and tear will not affect its usability, but serious damage to your passport could prevent you from travelling overseas.

Contact with water or other liquids can cause serious damage.

You must not tear or remove pages from your passport.

It is critical that all the details and the photos on the personal data pages are legible and clear, and that there is no evidence of alteration or tampering with any aspect of the booklet.

If you are unsure whether your passport's condition is good enough for travel, you should seek advice from the Passport Information Service on 131 232 or from an Australian diplomatic mission or consulate.

When contacted by SBS Indonesian, Hermanus Dimara, Consul for Information, Social and Culture of the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney, said that the general rule regarding what constitutes a damaged passport is if the data in the passport cannot be read by the system.

But it's not that simple.

Mr Dimara added that the final decision was made by immigration officers in the field, who check the physical condition of the passport and decide whether the passport holder is allowed to pass through Indonesian immigration.

Are airlines culpable?

In further crackdown, The West Australian reports that Indonesian authorities are imposing heavier restrictions and fines on airlines that carry passengers with damaged passports.

It was reported that Indonesia also fined airlines US$5,000 ($7,131) for each passenger denied entry under the strict rule.

The Head of Public Relations and General Affairs of the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration, Teodorus Simarmata, gave a statement regarding the issue of damaged passports that had been experienced by Australian citizens headed to Bali.

Responding to the news, here are some related matters.

1. Rejection of the foreigner resulting in airlines paying expenses only applies in the following cases:

A passenger who does not have a travel document;

A passenger who does not have a visa, subject to foreigners who are required to have a visa to enter Indonesia;

A passenger who does not have a legitimate and valid Immigration Document - the validity period of the passport is less than 6 months and/or the visa has expired.

2. As for the rejection of foreigners due to the damaged passport, this does not result in the cost of transportation on the airlines.

3. The imposition of expense is enforced if airlines transport passengers who are included in the criteria mentioned in point 1 above.

4. Rejection of a foreigner's entry, based on the results of examination performed by Immigration officers at the Immigration Checkpoints, is carried out as a form of sovereignty of the country.

We submit this press release to clarify the news that has been circulating in the community.

The Head of Public Relations of the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration, Sam Fenando explained that immigration officers have the rights to prohibit both Indonesian citizens and foreigners entry, related to damaged passports, because the officers follow the Standard Operation Procedures (SOP).

Mr Fenando urged people to take good care of their passports.

Among the criteria for the damaged passport are tears, ink blurs, water-damage - Therefore you had better keep good care of your passport.


Tourism Observer

COCOS ISLANDS: A Nature And Water Lover's Paradise

The Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands or simply Cocos Islands or Keeling Islands is in the middle of the Indian Ocean some 2750km north-west of Perth, and 900km west south-west of Christmas Island.

The Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands is an Australian external territory in the Indian Ocean, comprising a small archipelago approximately midway between Australia and Sri Lanka.

It is part of Southeast Asia and is in the Southern Hemisphere. The territory's dual name since 1955 reflects that the islands have historically been known as either the Cocos Islands or the Keeling Islands.

The territory consists of two atolls made up of 27 coral islands, of which only two West Island and Home Island are inhabited.

The population of around 600 people consists mainly of Cocos Malays, who practise Sunni Islam and speak a dialect of Malay as their first language.

The territory is administered by the Australian federal government's Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, and together with Christmas Island forms the Australian Indian Ocean Territories administrative unit.

However, the islanders do have a degree of self-government through the local shire council.

Many public services including health, education, and policing are provided by the state of Western Australia, and Western Australian law applies except where the federal government has determined otherwise.

The islands were first discovered in 1609 by William Keeling, but no settlement occurred until the early 19th century.

One of the first settlers was John Clunies-Ross, a Scottish merchant; much of the island's current population is descended from the Malay workers he brought in to work his copra plantation.

The Clunies-Ross family ruled the islands as a private fiefdom for almost 150 years, with the head of the family usually recognised as resident magistrate.

The British formally annexed the islands in 1857, and for the next century they were officially administered from either Ceylon or Singapore.

The territory was transferred to Australia in 1955, although until 1979 virtually all of the island's real estate still belonged to the Clunies-Ross family.

The islands have been called the Cocos Islands from 1622, the Keeling Islands from 1703, the Cocos–Keeling Islands in 1805 and the Keeling–Cocos Islands 19th century.

Cocos refers to the abundant coconut trees, while Keeling is William Keeling, who discovered the islands in 1609.

John Clunies-Ross, who sailed there in the Borneo in 1825, called the group the Borneo Coral Isles, restricting Keeling to North Keeling, and calling South Keeling the Cocos properly so called.

The form Cocos (Keeling) Islands, attested from 1916, was made official by the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955.

The territory's Malay name is Pulu Kokos (Keeling). Sign boards on the island also feature Malay translations.

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands consist of two flat, low-lying coral atolls with an area of 14.2 square kilometres (5.5 sq mi), 26 kilometres (16 mi) of coastline.

A highest elevation of 5 metres (16 ft) and thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation.

The climate is pleasant, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year and with moderate rainfall. Tropical cyclones may occur in the early months of the year.

North Keeling Island is an atoll consisting of just one C-shaped island, a nearly closed atoll ring with a small opening into the lagoon, about 50 metres (160 ft) wide, on the east side.

The island measures 1.1 square kilometres (270 acres) in land area and is uninhabited. The lagoon is about 0.5 square kilometres (120 acres).

North Keeling Island and the surrounding sea to 1.5 km (0.93 mi) from shore form the Pulu Keeling National Park, established on 12 December 1995.

It is home to the only surviving population of the endemic, and endangered, Cocos Buff-banded Rail.

South Keeling Islands is an atoll consisting of 24 individual islets forming an incomplete atoll ring, with a total land area of 13.1 square kilometres (5.1 sq mi). Only Home Island and West Island are populated.

The Cocos Malays maintain weekend shacks, referred to as pondoks, on most of the larger islands.

There are no rivers or lakes on either atoll. Fresh water resources are limited to water lenses on the larger islands, underground accumulations of rainwater lying above the seawater. These lenses are accessed through shallow bores or wells.

In 2010, the population of the islands was estimated at just over 600. The population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island with an estimated population of 100 and the ethnic Malays on Home Island with an estimated population of 500.

A Cocos dialect of Malay and English are the main languages spoken, and 80% of Cocos Islanders are Sunni Muslim, the other 20% are of another religion.

On 23 November 1955, the islands were transferred from the United Kingdom to the Commonwealth of Australia.

Immediately before the transfer the islands were part of the United Kingdom's Colony of Singapore, in accordance with the Straits Settlements (Repeal) Act, 1946 of the United Kingdom and the British Settlements Acts, 1887 and 1945, as applied by the Act of 1946.

The legal steps for effecting the transfer were:

The Commonwealth Parliament and the Government requested and consented to the enactment of a United Kingdom Act for the purpose.

The Cocos Islands Act, 1955, authorized Her Majesty, by Order in Council, to direct that the islands should cease to form part of the Colony of Singapore and be placed under the authority of the Commonwealth.

By the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act, 1955, the Parliament of the Commonwealth provided for the acceptance of the islands as a territory under the authority of the Commonwealth and for its government.

The Cocos Islands Order in Council, 1955, made under the United Kingdom Act of 1955, provided that upon the appointed day of 23 November 1955, the islands should cease to form part of the Colony of Singapore and be placed under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia.

The population of the islands is approximately 600.

There is a small and growing tourist industry focused on water-based or nature activities. In 2016, a beach on Direction Island was named the best beach in Australia by Brad Farmer, an Aquatic and Coastal Ambassador for Tourism Australia and co-author of 101 Best Beaches 2017.

Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but most food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia or elsewhere.

The Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage worker operations. Tourism employs others. The unemployment rate was 6.7% in 2011.

The Cocos Islands are strategically important because of their proximity to shipping lanes in the Indian and Pacific oceans.

The United States and Australia have expressed interest in stationing surveillance drones on the Cocos Islands.

James Cogan has written for the World Socialist Web Site that the plan to station surveillance drones at Cocos was one component of US President Barack Obama's pivot towards Asia, facilitating control of the sea lanes and potentially allowing US forces to enforce a blockade against China.

After plans to construct airbases were leaked Australian defence minister Stephen Smith stated that the Australian government views the Cocos as being potentially a long-term strategic location, but that is down the track.

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands have fifteen kilometres (9.3 miles) of highway.

There is one paved airport on the West Island. A tourist bus operates on Home Island.

The only airport is Cocos (Keeling) Islands Airport with a single 2,441 m (8,009 ft) paved runway.

Virgin Australia operates scheduled jet services from Perth Airport via Christmas Island.

After 1952, the airport at Cocos Islands was a stop for airline flights between Australia and South Africa, and Qantas and South African Airways stopped there to refuel. The arrival of long-range jet aircraft ended this need in 1967.

An interisland ferry, the Cahaya Baru, connects West, Home and Direction Islands.

There is a lagoon anchorage between Horsburgh and Direction islands for larger vessels, while yachts have a dedicated anchorage area in the southern lee of Direction Island. There are no major seaports on the islands.

The islands are connected within Australia's telecommunication system with number range +61 8 9162 xxxx. Public phones are located on both West Island and Home Island.

A reasonably reliable GSM mobile phone network number range +61 406 xxx, run by CiiA or Christmas Island Internet Association, operates on Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

SIM cards and recharge cards can be purchased from the Telecentre on West Island to access this service.

Australia Post provides mail services with the postcode 6799. There are post offices on West Island and Home Island.

Standard letters and express post items are sent by air twice weekly, but all other mail is sent by sea and can take up to two months for delivery.

.cc is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Cocos (Keeling) Islands. It is administered by VeriSign through a subsidiary company eNIC, which promotes it for international registration as the next .com

.cc was originally assigned in October 1997 to eNIC Corporation of Seattle WA by the IANA. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus also uses the .cc domain, along with .nc.tr.

Internet access on Cocos is provided by CiiA Christmas Island Internet Association, and is supplied via satellite ground station on West Island, and distributed via a wireless PPPoE-based WAN on both inhabited islands.

Casual internet access is available at the Telecentre on West Island, and the Indian Ocean Group Training office on Home Island.

The National Broadband Network announced in early 2012 that it would extend service to Cocos in 2015 via high speed satellite link.

There are two inhabited islands in the group West Island and Home Island.

Passenger ferries run to Direction Island every Thursday and Saturday.

There are several uninhabited islands.

- Horsburgh Island

- North Keeling Island - A national park, with access only with permission from Parks Australia.

- South Island

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are located in the middle of the Indian Ocean some 2750km north-west of Perth, and 900km west south-west of Christmas Island, its closest neighbour.

Cocos lies approximately 12° south and 96.5° east, locating the islands in the humid tropical zone.

There are 27 coral islands in the group. Captain William Keeling discovered the islands in 1609, but they remained uninhabited until the 19th century.

Annexed by the UK in 1857, they were transferred to the Australian Government in 1955. The population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island.

Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia.

There is a small tourist industry.

Cocos experiences two main seasons which tend to overlap: the trade wind season from April / May to September / October and the calmer doldrum season from November through to April. Expect higher rainfall during March through to July.

January through to August, may also generate the occasional low pressure system, usually between February and April. However these systems do not normally interfere with holiday plans.

Rain usually falls in the evenings, bringing glorious sunny days. The average annual rainfall is 2000mm.

Temperatures are fairly consistent no matter what the season, remaining around a comfortable 29°C with a minimum evening temperature rarely dropping below 20°C.

The landscape is flat, low-lying coral atolls, thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation.

Australia's last unspoilt paradise lies in the azure waters of the Indian Ocean offering spectacular snorkelling, world-class diving, excellent fishing and the adrenalin-rush of kitesurfing.

Relax on empty beaches, visit uninhabited islands by canoe, watch spectacular birdlife or catch the ferry to Home Island to stay at the original Clunies-Ross residence and discover the culture and traditions of the Cocos Malay people.

Situated 2750 kms northwest of Perth, Western Australia, the Cocos Keeling Islands are a group of coral islands that form two atolls. Only two of the 27 islands are inhabited - the rest are waiting for you to explore them.

Cocos (Keeling) Islands Tourism Association Inc., PO Box 1030 Cocos (Keeling) Islands Indian Ocean WA 6799. Monday: 0800 to 1700 Tuesday - Thursday: 0800 - 1430 Friday: 0800 - 1600 Saturday (early flight): 1300 - 1600 Saturday late flight: 1400 - 1700 Sunday & Public Holidays: Closed.

There is one airport on West Island that receives two Virgin Australia flights a week from Perth, stopping over at Christmas Island on the way on one flight and the way back on the other. One way flights are at least $500.

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are one and a half hours behind Western Standard Time (WST) and three and a half hours behind Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Australian citizens do not need a passport, but must carry some form of photographic identification.

The Cocos Islands are a popular stopover for sailing vessels en route to Mauritius. There is a sheltered anchorage at Direction Island where sailing vessel came anchor for $50 per week.

Travel between the direction Island anchorage and Home Island is possible via tender, or scheduled ferry service which operates between Direction Island and Home Island on Thursdays and Saturdays.

A local bus service from West Island Settlement to the jetty operates approximately 20 minutes prior to the departure of the ferry to Home Island.

On Thursday and Saturday the ferry diverts to Direction Island to allow tourists and locals access to this remote paradise. The ferry returns in the afternoon to return you to West Island.

Timetables are available from the Tourism office or the Duty Free Shop.

A Car Rental. Contact Geof Christie for availability and rates.

Cocos Autos, U12 Sydney Highway, Cocos Islands. Cocos Autos offers visitors to Cocos (Keeling) Islands an extensive and diverse range of vehicles.

Choose from single and dual cab utilities or 4WD dual cab utilities. Baby seats and booster seats are also available.

AW & KJ James Car Hire. Quality vehicles available for hire. Contact Ash or Kylie for availability and rates..

Cocos Surf Shop, In the Airport Complex.

Take cultural tours with some of the local tour operators or guide yourself around the islands to explore why they call the Cocos Islands a nature and water lover's paradise.

During the year, as well as the traditional events such as Easter, New Year, Christmas etc, Cocos hosts a number of unique events.

These include the annual Lagoon swim, where competitors swim from Home Island across the lagoon to West Island.

Individuals or teams may enter and whether you are a serious contender or wish to join in with the Hash House Harriers who always seem to get themselves disqualified for one thing or another, everyone has a load of fun.

It finishes in the evening with dinner and presentations to the winners and boat drivers.

Other unique events are the mid-year Cocos Ball, quiz nights, Music & Wine festival, Ardmona Cup and Cocos Olympics.

All visitors are encouraged to join in with these festivities and activities. Exact dates vary from year to year. Please check with the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Tourism Association before booking for particular events.

Don't forget visitors to the Island are also welcome to participate in the School Fete, Sports Carnival and concert events.

Cocos Diving, Cocos Dive, PO Box 1015, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Indian Ocean WA 6799,Australia. AUD $200-2320.

2nd Wind Sailboards. July through to September only. Watersport holidays. Windsurfing, SUP'ing, kiting.

Pulu Keeling National Park.

Cocos Islands Golf Club. Thursdays. Play the most westerly golf course in Australia that also includes an international runway. Locals and visitors meet every Thursday afternoon for a friendly game of Scroungers Ambrose.

Be at the Donga next to the West Island Supermarket at 3.30pm. All adults are more than welcome, club hire is available and a full bar. You won't play this kind of golf anywhere else in the world, not to be missed.

Hash House Harriers. Contact Mike Wacuda Keogh - Honorary Piss Poor, West Island. Mixed hash which runs every Monday at 1630 Adults only event as there are Down Downs involved.

Run or walk through coconut trees, along white sandy beaches and through the inner lagoon taking in the length and breadth of West Island visiting places not normally seen by visitors and locals alike.

Notice is written on the Cocos Club board with the location of the event every Monday after lunch. All participants to bring six beers or UDL’S, ciders, wines, champers whether you drink or not.

Also bring a few dollars for the raffle and dress in Hash attire. Don’t be shy in asking what a tubing is when in the circle. 6 beers.

Supermarket, Clunies-Ross Avenue.

Community Resource Centre, Administration building. Monday to Friday 8.00am - 3.00pm. The Cocos Islands Community Resource Centre provides internet access and printing facilities.

Mobile phones are available for hire and wireless vouchers for your laptops. Come in for a coffee and check your emails, get some information, grab a tide chart or take home a classic Cocos Calendar. Open Mon - Fri (8am - 3pm).

Australia Post.

Cocos Club. Open 7 days a week.

There are two restaurants and a couple of cafes on Cocos. The Tropika Restaurant is on West Island, whilst Bunga Melati is on Home Island.

Malay cuisine is a selection of rice, noodles, curry and chilli, featuring chicken, beef, lamb and seafood dishes.

Food is prepared to be flavoursome and not particularly hot, unless requested. The Tropika has a mix of Malay and western style meals with a selection of meats, vegetables and salads available from the bistro.

Tropika, Located on West Island in the Cocos Beach Motel buffet dinner $33.

Dory's Cafe, Located on West Island just south of the medical centre. M-F breakfast and lunch, Sunday breakfast. a range of light meals from $15 up.

Bunga Melati, Located on Home Island in the small business centre. The restaurant will open for lunch or dinner on request.

Don't want to eat at a restaurant? Usually, every third Friday, the different social clubs of Cocos prepare a food night at the Cocos Club. Excellently priced meals are offered along with raffles and good-natured fun.

Come along, share a meal. The Cocos Club also offers visitors a great venue to get to know the locals and join in with any activity that is happening.

Cocos Beach Motel. AUD $140 and up. This 28 room motel is centrally located right in the middle of town, right on the beach and only across the road from the Cocos Club, airport and a short walk to the supermarket.

Many of the rooms have direct views to the Indian Ocean. Ideally suited to couples, singles or twin. Private ensuite and air conditioned. Three family rooms are available. On site restaurant: The Tropika.

Cocos Cottages. Architecturally designed cottages, purpose built tourist accommodation, overlooking the golf course and the lagoon. They offer spacious bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens, large undercover deck areas and on site BBQ area.

Located within easy walking distance of the supermarket, Cocos Club, tennis courts, golf club, restaurants and other facilities.

Cocos Castaway. $150 - $390.

Cyclone season is October to April.

Fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs.



Tourism Observer

AUSTRALIA: Qantas Reveals International Transit Lounge At Perth Airport

Qantas customers are set to benefit from smoother connections and improved facilities at Perth Airport with construction to begin on a new integrated domestic and international passenger hub.

A new international wing, will be located within the existing T3/T4 area.

It will feature a large outdoor deck with alfresco seating, a streamlined immigration and customs area to enable a faster transfer experience, additional food and beverage outlets and a new Duty Free store.

Qantas Group chief executive Alan Joyce said all of the airline’s domestic flights, as well as services to Singapore, Auckland and London, would operate from the new facility.

Perth will become the western hub for our international services to the United Kingdom and potentially other European destinations in the future,Joyce said.

Combining all of our operations under one roof means customers can transfer from domestic to international services without changing terminals.

The new design allows for an outdoor space and natural sunlight, which is something we know our customers will value ahead of a long haul flight.

It’s fair to say there’s been a huge amount of excitement about the launch of our non-stop services from Perth to London, and we’re delighted to be working with the State Government and Perth Airport to encourage overseas visitors to stopover in Perth.

Qantas will also construct a new International Transit Lounge that will provide a space for customers to relax and refresh between flights.

The transit lounge will offer more than a dozen shower suites, space to refresh and a wellness facility.

The outdoor patio provides fresh air and natural light, with a barbeque grill and Neil Perry designed Australian-style BBQ menu.

The International Transit Lounge has been designed for customers transiting in Perth when travelling on QF9 from Melbourne to London and QF10 from London to Melbourne.

Perth customers will also have access to the lounge.

Perth Airport chief executive Kevin Brown welcomed the announcement of the new passenger facilities.

There’s already been so much hard work done by the Perth Airport and Qantas teams on this project and it’s incredibly exciting that we can now see the vision taking shape for what will be a world class transit lounge, he said.

The International Transit Lounge has been designed as a collaboration between leading firm SUMU Design and award-winning Australian industrial designer David Caon, who is also the lead designer for the interiors of the Qantas Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

Preparatory works have begun with the project to be completed by March next year, in time for the inaugural non-stop services between Perth and London.

AUSTRALIA: Tourism Industry Affected By Higher Passport New Airport Fee

Australian passports will rise in price by $20 from January 1, 2017.

TOURISM will generate hundreds of millions of dollars for the Federal Government through a range of budget initiatives that have disappointed industry members.

Although there are some positives for the “supergrowth sector” such as tax cuts for small business operators, tourism officials lamented the lack of measures to foster growth.

In a series of blows for the industry:

— the cost of an Australian passport will jump $20 from January 1, 2017 to $274 raising $173 million over four years

— trial visa arrangements for certain countries including a user-pays fast track service will raise $1.5 million over four years

— backpackers will pay 32.5 cents on every dollar earned in Australia from July 1

— airport operators will be charged a commercial fee to provide “premium border clearance services” for international air passengers, initially at Sydney, Melbourne and Perth Airports

— Tourism Australia’s funding trimmed to $140 million from $144 million

Australian Tourism Export Council Managing Director Peter Shelley said they were very disappointed the planned backpacker tax had not been wound back.

“We’ve been working with government to try to reduce the percentage (from 32.5) and we’ve seen no response to that in this budget,” said Mr Shelley.

“It’s not competitive with other countries and makes a working holiday in Australia much less attractive.”

Tourism and Transport Forum CEO Margy Osmond said she hoped successive budgets delivered an increase to Tourism Australia’s funding.

“We’re pretty disappointed there’s been no action on the Tourist Refund Scheme and the backpacker tax, and we will be pushing those arguments during the election campaign,” said Ms Osmond.

“Any increase in taxes on airports is not good news either but the concept of premium processing is a good one.”

On the upside, $26.2 million has been earmarked over four years to establish permanent border clearance services at Townsville and Sunshine Coast airports in Queensland.

The move should allow for regular international services out of the airports, that currently operate seasonal flights into either Bali or Auckland.

There is also $115.1 million over two years for works at the Western Sydney Airport site at Badgerys Creek.

The sum includes $26.2 million to “undertake concept design for the provision of rail services

through the site”.

Three states can also look forward to more money for projects that encourage tourists to visit a destination, such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground rooftop walk.

Almost a third of the $15.2 million “demand driver infrastructure fund” will go to New South Wales ($4.8 million), Queensland will score $2.9 million and Victoria $2.8 million.

Allocations for other states and territories will remain unchanged.

AUSTRALIA: Virgin Australia Introduces SITA's New 'future check-in' Tech At Perth Airport

Virgin Australia has become the launch customer for SITA's new 'future check-in' technology in the carrier's new domestic terminal at Perth Airport.

Aviation technology specialist SITA has developed the world's first integrated hardware common-use hybrid check-in desks which allow the airline to quickly switch from self-service bag drop mode to a traditional full-service check-in counter in one common-use platform.

"This is a very exciting time for both Virgin Australia and SITA. The airline's new domestic terminal at Perth Airport has been designed to manage passengers quickly and with the level of service they want. Working together with Virgin Australia has allowed us to combine our innovative ideas and deliver this ground-breaking technology," said Ilya Gutlin, SITA president, Asia Pacific.

The tech was developed using SITA's global AirportConnect Open platform and integrated with partner Daifuku BCS for baggage management and Vedaleon Technologies for the application software.

The hybrid desks are the first in operation worldwide and set a new standard for airport check-in flexibility, said SITA, which provides various technology solutions to more than 1,000 airports globally.

AUSTRALIA: Virgin Australia New Technology At Perth Airport

Virgin Australia has unveiled what it calls the future of airport operations at the new T1 Domestic Terminal at Perth Airport, which will open to flights on November 22.

In a world first the airline will use new hybrid technology developed by airline IT company SITA that allows Virgin Australia to tailor check-in to each passenger and enables the airline to easily change operations to meet customer and situation demand.

Essentially the new area can be swapped from self-service to staff assist counters in a matter of minutes.

The check-in area features;

• 14 hybrid desks which can be switched from self-service bag drop to full-service, traditional counters within five minutes
• the flexibility to determine how many self-service bag drop desks can be changed into full-service counters depending on demand in peak periods
• 28 self-service kiosks where passengers can check-in, print boarding passes, weigh their bags and print baggage tags
• 7 service pods where a Virgin Australia ground crew member can support any passengers in need of assistance with check-in, boarding passes and baggage tags
• Service desks to assist with traditional check-in, boarding passes and general enquiries.
• 12 aerobridge serviced departure gates including three A330 capable aircraft gates
• a central retail and dining area offering passengers an extensive range of dining and shopping options
• the new Virgin Australia Lounge, featuring a Wine and Espresso Bar
• shorter transfer times to both regional WA and international flights

Virgin Australia Group Chief Executive Officer, John Borghetti said: “This new technology is all about giving our customers the freedom to choose their airport experience. The new technology improves efficiency and speed, and importantly frees up our people to perform a concierge-style role and support our guests as they move through the new terminal.”

“The hybrid technology has been developed to an industry standard which will allow Virgin Australia to roll it out across the rest of our network,” Mr Borghetti said.

T1 Domestic is the final major project in the current $1 billion makeover at Perth Airport and is a magnificent new home for Virgin Australia.

Mr Borghetti said that the new terminal will transform the customer experience in Perth.

"This terminal is the centrepiece of our commitment to Western Australia and will deliver an outstanding travel experience for all of our customers. It will provide access to twice the number of departure gates, with the ability to board up to twelve aircraft at one time, offering a world-class gateway for regional, domestic and international travel," Mr Borghetti said.

“Our new check-in service will enable us to tailor the experience to the needs of different customers, combining cutting-edge technology with the personalised customer service for which Virgin Australia is renowned."

“We believe the new Virgin Australia ground experience will raise the bar for airport services around Australia and help to ensure that Virgin Australia is the number one choice for travellers on the all-important trans-continental routes,” Mr Borghetti said.

Perth Airport’s Chief Executive Officer, Brad Geatches said the T1 Domestic Terminal is a world-class facility and the most significant project in Perth Airport’s current $1 billion redevelopment.

“The opening of the T1 Domestic Terminal represents a major milestone in achieving our vision of having all commercial air services operating from one convenient location,” said Mr Geatches.

“The new Terminal offers customers a totally new experience, with high quality finishes, a range of food, beverage and retail outlets and a premium lounge for Virgin Australia guests.”

“We are confident that the Virgin Australia T1 Domestic Terminal sets a new standard in customer experience in Australia. The facilities are brand new, very spacious and designed with the customer at the forefront,” Mr Geatches said.

In a bid to keep up with more modern airports worldwide, passengers would get special treatment, Mr Geatches added. “We have paid special attention to customer service and will introduce specially trained staff to assist passengers through the security process."

The Premier, Colin Barnett commended Perth Airport on its investment decision, saying it coincided with the Federal and State Government’s $1 billion expenditure on Gateway WA, the road network leading into the airport.

“Perth Airport is an important gateway to our city and our State and this new terminal represents an exciting milestone in the transformation of the precinct,” Mr Barnett said.

“Tourism is an $8.7 billion industry for Western Australia and in 2014-15 Perth Airport’s total passenger numbers, including international and domestic, reached almost 14 million. We want visitors’ first impressions to be positive and lead to return visitation and endorsement, so a combination of better access to airport facilities and the delivery of services people want and need is key.

“There is no doubt this additional infrastructure will be needed for business and leisure travel now and into the future as the State’s tourism value and business attraction grows,” Mr Barnett said

Situated at the western end of T1, Australia’s newest domestic terminal will enable passengers to transfer seamlessly between regional, interstate and international services in one location.