Ms Catherine King (Ballarat, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government) Share this | Hansard source

I think you just saw the incredible contrast just then with the member for Bendigo, who is serious about regional aviation and knows the economic importance of it to the regions, and the joke of a question that was just asked by those opposite and the deputy opposition leader giggling away about the whole thing in terms of regional aviation.

The Albanese Labor government believes that regional and remote communities deserve reliable, affordable and accessible air travel. It is why we are taking steps to ensure that communities outside capital cities aren't just short-changed. Today we announced that the government will support shortlisted bidders in a second sale process for Rex Airlines to maximise the prospect of a successful sale and to ensure that crucial regional aviation services continue beyond 30 June 2025.

We have been clear that the Commonwealth is not a bidder in this second sales process and we want to see a successful, market led outcome. This is a strong signal to the market that we are willing to work with them to land a deal. But we have also been clear that, if there is no sale, we will look at contingency options, including preparations necessary for potential Commonwealth acquisition. When markets fail or struggle to deliver for regional communities, the government absolutely has a role to ensure that people do not miss out on opportunities, education and critical connections. The same is true of telecommunications as well. We're recognising that today and stepping in to keep these routes flying.

Today's announcement has been welcomed by the Australian Local Government Association, the Australian Airports Association and the Australian Travel Industry Association. But I know who's not welcomed it, which is very surprising: those members of the Liberal and National parties opposite. We saw the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, the member for Farrer—who has Rex Airlines flying in there—tell Sky News that she does not support the government's intervention or assistance. The Liberals and the Nationals have made clear they would rather see the largest regional airlines in Australia fail, individual routes flogged off and regional Australians absolutely abandoned. They have no plan to secure regional aviation, and, in fact, they believe government involvement is a bridge too far but $600 billion of publicly owned, taxpayer-funded nuclear reactors is not a bridge too far. You can see the absolute contrast when it comes to supporting regional aviation and supporting regional communities in what we just saw with a joke of a question from the member for Deakin.

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