Farmers have thanked the Federal Government for their efforts to keep regional air services in the sky.
The Federal Government last week announced it would acquire $50 million of debt owed by Rex Airlines in a move to prevent the regional air service from falling into liquidation.
NSW Farmers’ Business Economics and Trade Committee Chair John Lowe said the announcement had come as a relief for many regional communities, who relied on the airline to access essential services and stay connected to family and friends.
“Our landscape is incredibly vast and many of our farming communities are a long way from the doctor, dentist and other specialist medical professionals they need,” Mr Lowe said.
“Staying connected to family, friends and other business is also important, and our regions need reliable air services if they are to access all of these things that are so essential to their everyday life and regional liveability.”
Mr Lowe said the retention of multiple regional air services would also prove critical to the continued growth and success of farming communities into the future.
“Regional NSW and its agricultural sector is moving ahead in leaps and bounds – but we can only progress so far as our transport and infrastructure allows,” Mr Lowe said.
“Plane services to and from the city should be affordable, reliable and available, if we want businesses to thrive and farmers to keep growing our world-class food and fibre that feeds our country.
“Better bridges, roads and rail will also be important to keeping these communities safe, accessible and capable of getting Aussie food from farm to fork each day.”