LABOR’S COST BURDEN SCHEDULED TO LAND AT MOUNT GAMBIER AIRPORT

labor’s COST BURDEN scheduled to LAND AT Mount gambier airport

Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP says the Albanese Labor Government has wasted three years in Government offering no solution to the challenges faced by regional airports to undertake security screening requirements, putting the sustainability of regional air travel in question.

Mr Pasin met with the District Council of Grant recently to discuss security screening requirements relevant to the increasing aircraft size and growing number of passengers travelling through Mount Gambier Airport.

“The Albanese Labor Government has done nothing to assist the long-term sustainability of regional air travel. After almost three years in Government no solution has been offered to the financial challenges faced by regional airports in meeting security screening obligations, which is fast becoming a reality for the Mount Gambier Airport.

“The former Coalition Government recognised that regional airports and passenger fares operate on extremely tight margins that simply don’t allow for the capital and operating costs of complying with security screening requirements. The former Coalition Government’s Regional Airport Screening Infrastructure program made funding available to regional airports that were required to implement security screening measures,” Mr Pasin said.

“The Albanese Labor Government made the decision not to continue this funding avenue beyond December 2022 and airports such as Whyalla, which has been required to screen passengers since 2021, were left stranded with no viable funding options to cover the substantial costs of compliance.

“Now, with passenger numbers nearing the threshold and increases to the aircraft size operating in and out of Mount Gambier approaching, Labor’s failure to provide a funding stream could have serious consequences for the Limestone Coast. The District Council of Grant has estimated that the increased cost could amount to as much as $90 per passenger, per flight.

“After fighting for and delivering millions of dollars in Federal funding to upgrade the Mount Gambier Airport, it would be devastating to see costs become so prohibitive that the facility isn’t used to its full potential.

“Airport security is an important national issue, and we need a Federal Government to show leadership in ensuring that our regional airports can comply without the cost burden crippling services to the point of becoming unsustainable leaving regional communities like Mount Gambier without a regional passenger service,” Mr Pasin said.