Separating the Chinese from the flying school.
THE noise being created by the International Aviation Alliance flying school based at Mildura Airport has caused many constituents to contact me to share their concerns about the impact it is having on them.
My interest in this issue is about the wellbeing of residents and their ability to enjoy their properties in a fair and reasonable way.
My obligation as an independent member of parliament is to provide a voice to the voiceless. My interest as a citizen is to promote open and transparent decision-making in our community.
The fact the flying school is owned by a Chinese business interest is irrelevant. If the flying school was Australian-owned or American-owned, I would still be having the same conversations with constituents about the noise and the impact it is having on their lives.
Anybody who sees this issue as an opportunity to attack Chinese people who are living in our community are idiots and should hang their heads in shame.
I have heard recent reports of local Chinese students having their cars egged. This disgraceful behaviour has no place in our community. I have had my car egged for speaking up on matters of importance, so I know first-hand how that feels, and I can tell you — it is not nice.
These students are just trying to go about their business. They are doing nothing wrong and are entitled to be here. They did not make the decision to put the flying school here in Mildura.
The community’s concern about the noise from the school has nothing to do with the students who are in our community to train here. Leave them alone.
I condemn racism in all its insidious forms, but I will not let this racist and abusive behaviour from some individuals stop a broader conversation with my constituents about the noise from the flying school.
Leadership is about being prepared to have these tough conversations while also taking our community on a journey toward the greater good.
