MORE MONEY TO REX AS GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO REFUSE VIRGIN
New information reveals that at the same time that the Morrison Government continues to refuse assistance to Virgin Australia, another $13 million has been handed to Rex.
This brings the total Government assistance provided to Rex to over $80 million, including $53 million in an untied grants.
The Government repeatedly promised they would take a sector-wide approach when it comes to aviation, but that has clearly not been the case. 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.
Over recent days we have heard reports that administrators, bidders and unions all hold real concerns regarding the ability of the airline to survive through administration without guarantees regarding government support.
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 must immediately outline the level of support it is prepared to offer in order to secure the future of the 16,000 workers who depend on Virgin Australia and the ongoing viability of Australia’s second major airline.
A strong airline industry will be critical to our nation’s recovery from the COVID crisis, it is too important to give up on.
The Government sat on their hands as Virgin Australia fell into administration, now they must act to ensure the airline has a future.
TUESDAY, 2 JUNE 2020