3 years ago
ANSWERS NEEDED ON AVIATION INDUSTRY
CATHERINE KING MP
Ahead of Estimates hearings today, the Morrison Government has significant questions to answer when it comes to their lack of a plan for Australia’s aviation industry.
The airline industry was shut down almost overnight by the necessary restrictions brought in by the Commonwealth and state governments to stop the spread of COVID. But, in the months since, the Morrison Government has taken a hands-off and often inconsistent approach when it comes to the industry.
First, the Government allowed Virgin Australian to fall into voluntary administration, claiming repeatedly that it was taking sector-wide approach in denying the airline and the 16,000 workers who depend on it any additional assistance.
However, at the same time as was refusing help to Virgin Australia, the Morrison Government was handing Rex over $80 million grants, including $53 million in untied funding.
While Rex plays a critical role for many towns, Australia’s airline industry and regional communities across Australia are dependent on two major airlines.
The Government and Deputy Prime Minister need to explain why one majority foreign owned airline was eligible for cashflow support, but the other wasn’t.
At the same time as abandoning workers at Virgin Australia, the Morrison Government has cruelly denied JobKeeper support to essential workers at Dnata.
These workers are essential for Australian aviation, and by denying them JobKeeper the Morrison Government is pushing them into unemployment.
To effectively recover from this crisis and get back in the air Australia is going to need a strong aviation sector.
The decisions taken by the Morrison Government have undermined our aviation sector.
The airline industry was shut down almost overnight by the necessary restrictions brought in by the Commonwealth and state governments to stop the spread of COVID. But, in the months since, the Morrison Government has taken a hands-off and often inconsistent approach when it comes to the industry.
First, the Government allowed Virgin Australian to fall into voluntary administration, claiming repeatedly that it was taking sector-wide approach in denying the airline and the 16,000 workers who depend on it any additional assistance.
However, at the same time as was refusing help to Virgin Australia, the Morrison Government was handing Rex over $80 million grants, including $53 million in untied funding.
While Rex plays a critical role for many towns, Australia’s airline industry and regional communities across Australia are dependent on two major airlines.
The Government and Deputy Prime Minister need to explain why one majority foreign owned airline was eligible for cashflow support, but the other wasn’t.
At the same time as abandoning workers at Virgin Australia, the Morrison Government has cruelly denied JobKeeper support to essential workers at Dnata.
These workers are essential for Australian aviation, and by denying them JobKeeper the Morrison Government is pushing them into unemployment.
To effectively recover from this crisis and get back in the air Australia is going to need a strong aviation sector.
The decisions taken by the Morrison Government have undermined our aviation sector.