FEDERAL Member for Barker Tony Pasin has welcomed the announcement of a national inquiry into regional airfares and is calling for Mount Gambier to be included as a location for public hearings.<\/p>\n
Regional communities across Barker rely heavily on regional airlines to remain connected to Australia\u2019s capital cities.<\/p>\n
For many residents, air travel is not a luxury but a necessity, particularly when accessing specialist and lifesaving health services that are not available locally.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople in regional areas understand the importance of air travel,\u201d Mr Pasin said. \u201cThe ongoing challenge has always been the affordability of regional airfares, which places real pressure on families, businesses and communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
The inquiry, to be conducted by the Productivity Commission this year, will examine the factors influencing the cost of regional air travel and consider options to support a competitive, reliable and affordable aviation network for communities outside Australia\u2019s major cities.<\/p>\n
Mr Pasin has written to the Commission requesting that it hold a public hearing in Mount Gambier to ensure the Limestone Coast has a direct voice in the process.<\/p>\n
\u201cLocal communities deserve the opportunity to share their lived experience and to contribute directly to shaping policy that affects their access to affordable air travel,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Information about the inquiry, including its terms of reference, timelines and how to make a submission, is available on the Productivity Commission\u2019s website.<\/p>\n
Mr Pasin encouraged community members, businesses and stakeholders across the Limestone Coast to make a submission and add their perspective to the inquiry.<\/p>\n
\u201cAffordable regional airfares matter to the future of our region, and this inquiry provides an important opportunity to influence outcomes,\u201d Mr Pasin said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FEDERAL Member for Barker Tony Pasin has welcomed the announcement of a national inquiry into regional airfares and is calling for Mount Gambier to be included as a location for public hearings. Regional communities across Barker rely heavily on regional airlines to remain connected to Australia\u2019s capital cities. For many residents, air travel is not […]<\/p>\n