Labor candidate for Farrer Glen Hyde and NSW state Labor Duty MLCs Stephen Lawrence and Bob Nanva said the Albanese Government will ‘Keep Rex Flying’, ensuring regional Australians have access to reliable, affordable, and accessible air travel.
Mr Hyde said Rex is the only airline that flies to the Leeton-Narrandera airport, and as a provider of regular services to Albury, Griffith and Mildura is an essential part of competition and frequency of services in large parts of the Farrer electorate.
"Aviation services are critical to keeping communities across Farrer connected. Not everyone is a pilot, or has the resources to fly their own plane,“ said Mr Hyde, who is based in Tocumwal.
“People in our communities need access to regular and reliable services to access medical services and stay connected to families, employment and economic opportunity.
“Rex’s future is critical for communities like Wentworth, Leeton, Narrandera, Griffith and Albury.
“Labor is the only party committed to ensuring continued air services in regional Australia. People across Farrer feel incredibly strongly about this issue. We need action, not excuses.”
Mr Hyde said in stark contrast to Labor’s position, the Nationals and Liberals have shown “nothing but confusion and contradiction”.
Labor says Nationals Leader David Littleproud and Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley have publicly criticised Rex and Labor’s position, while offering no real solutions.
“Governments shouldn't own airlines, because that does mean that taxpayers own them and taxpayers pay for them,” Ms Ley told Sky News Australia in February this year.
“That's $130 million so far that they have put into Rex.
“But this has just been another failure of management, including airline management by the Albanese government.”
Labor says the Coalition’s approach would see the largest regional airline in Australia carved up and sold for parts, leaving regional Australians stranded.
Mr Nanva, the state Labor Duty MLC for Murray, said communities across Murray rely on Rex to provide essential air travel links and keep competition in the skies.
“The Coalition has shown scant concern for these critical services. Only Labor has demonstrated it will protect regional aviation and keep Rex flying,” he said.
17°C