Newsroom

July 30, 2024

The Federal Government must urgently step in to secure air services critical to regional Australians’ economic and social wellbeing, said Member for Kennedy Hon. Bob Katter MP amid the suspension of Rex Airlines' ASX trading and potential shutdown.

“The potential loss of Rex services is a serious threat to the wellbeing and connectivity of our regional areas,” said Mr Katter in calling for government buy-in to immediately secure the future of the at-risk regional carrier.

 "It's imperative that the Government steps in to ensure our regional communities remain connected and supported.

“The shutdown of Rex Airlines would be a devastating blow to these areas and to the nation as a whole.”

Mr Katter said a country like Australia should have an air service owned by the Government for the people.

“We are the most sparsely populated country on Earth and the wealth of our nation comes from these sparsely populated areas.

“If you continue to strangle regional places such as Hughenden, then you strangle the nation.”

Urging the Government to buy into Rex Airlines and ensure that a carrier remains in Australian hands, Mr Katter rebuked today’s Qantas as “completely void of Australian values”.

“When Qantas was government-owned, it was a service to the Australian people. Now it has become a money-making machine for the rich corporates,” he emphasised in reinforcing the need for a government-owned service that prioritises the needs of the Australian people over corporate profits.