Australia’s third-largest airline, Regional Express, could become government-owned if administrators fail to secure a buyer. Taxpayers have already contributed $130 million to keep the airline operating since its collapse in July, and the federal government has now signaled it’s prepared to acquire it if no buyer emerges. Reporter Floss Adams has more from Merimbula Airport on the New South Wales Far South Coast.
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, visited Maroombula Airport this morning to announce
00:06that in fact the Federal Government will support Rex Airlines throughout this process and take
00:11on the airline if they can't find a successful bidder by June 30.
00:16So what he did make clear though is in fact that the Federal Government, it's not their
00:20first preference to take on the airline, but they will if necessary, if there are no successful
00:25bidders by June 30, which is the Administration cut-off date.
00:30We will work with the shortlisted bidders to maximise a successful sale.
00:36We'll negotiate to provide support to bidders.
00:40This will be contingent on commitments to provide an ongoing, reasonable level of services
00:46to regional and remote communities and the need to provide value for money for taxpayers.
00:54In the regions here, it's vital to have the regional airlines keeping Australia connected
01:00and keeping the country moving, particularly for local economies that exist all over the
01:04country.
01:05And not only that, critical and vital health services are ferried between these airlines
01:12every day and helps people and residents in regions access critical health care in the
01:19cities.
01:21The Federal Government will in fact take over Rex Airlines if there are no successful bidders
01:26by June 30.