In a joint press release, Transport Minister Catherine King and Foreign Minister Penny Wong acknowledged the anniversary, recognising the “ongoing heartache and grief” of those who lost loved ones and the “significant contributions” made to efforts to find the plane.

The jet (similar aircraft pictured) touched down this month in Perth as part of NJE’s fleet expansion program, which added a ninth De Havilland Dash 8-Q400 aircraft to the carrier’s stable in October, and comes as the charter operator begins E190 services between Perth and West Musgrave.

Defence has confirmed that 2nd Commando Regiment soldier Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon, son of former defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon, died following injuries sustained during a parachuting incident on 6 March.

The project, which received $5.5 million in federal government funding through the Building Better Regions Fund with the remainder paid for by Ballina Shire Council, used 15,000 tonnes of new asphalt and is expected to add a decade of life to the runway.