Perin Davey (NSW, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator Cash. Regional communities rely on aviation services to support small business, tourism and the residents who live there to access employment opportunities as well as vital services, such as medical treatment and education. Virgin has previously withdrawn services from regional areas and, in the last week of February, Rex Airlines announced plans to cut some of its regional services. This has concerned many rural and regional Australians reliant on these vital services. Can the minister please outline how the Liberal and National government is supporting regional aviation to maintain as many of these essential air services as possible not only for tourism but also for the viability of our communities in rural and regional Australia?