Despite the opening being delayed to next year, several key milestones are “on track” according to airport management, with the old terminal demolished, columns for the new border agency installed, work underway on lift pits and baggage tunnels, and a concrete slab poured last week.

Minister Conroy, speaking on ABC Radio on Thursday, said a global search undertaken by MRH-90 Taipan contractor NATO Helicopter Industries to find buyers for the beleaguered fleet uncovered “zero interest”, before hitting back at public scrutiny over the government’s refusal to send the capability to Ukraine.

The agreement will see 17 new Link Airways regional services, equivalent to around 90 services per week, join Virgin Australia’s regional network – a significant expansion for Virgin in the eastern states, which are largely untouched by the Perth-based Virgin Australia Regional Airlines.

Of the four Public Transport Victoria bus routes available, only the 902 operates after 7:45pm or more than once an hour, and many residents of surrounding suburbs have poor access to airport buses despite the airport employing more than 18,000 people.