War of words: Federal candidates become heated over handling of Rex Airlines buyout

Local Labor candidate Mark Jeffreson has slammed Nationals leader David Littleproud over his comments regarding the Federal Government’s eagerness to find contingency plans for Rex Airlines.

The regional airline went into voluntary administration in 2024 and has since been unable to find a buyer committed to its long-term future.

The Federal Government stated this week that if the airline was unable to find a suitable buyer, it would explore the option of becoming government-owned.

The announcement did not sit well with Nationals leader David Littleproud, who stated too many taxpayer dollars had already been spent.

“Well, I think we’ve spent over $130 million of Australian taxpayers’ money and don’t have a lot to show for it,” Mr Littleproud said.

“I think what we’ve got to also look at is that Rex was a viable regional airline before they had a dalliance into competing with Qantas and Virgin in the golden triangle between Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. They couldn’t compete and instead of spending money on that, they should have upgraded their fleet.

“The government has wasted enough time. They should open up a conversation with the broader regional aviation sector, which they haven’t done, to find a solution, whether that be one in the totality of a purchaser for Rex or whether that be a carve-out of players and with policy levers being pulled, rather than the Australian taxpayer having to cut the cheque entirely. So I think we haven’t exhausted all the options.”

Local Labor candidate Mark Jeffreson has criticised the Nationals leader’s remarks, describing his negative comments about the potential Rex Airlines buyout as party politics.

“The National Party have chosen to play politics criticising the decision to keep Rex passengers in the air with their leader, David Littleproud, saying that the government’s intervention into Rex “hasn’t really got much to show for it,” Mr Jeffreson said.

“Regional flights are extremely important. Wagga airport has over 200,000 business and private passengers per year with a large portion of those numbers flying Rex. The health sector relies on flights into and out of Wagga with 6000 regular public transport (RPT) seats occupied by health professionals each year, many also flying Rex. The need is also at Albury, Leeton, and all the way through regional Australia.

“Michael McCormack must condemn Mr Littleproud’s comments and support Labor in keeping regional Australia and the Riverina in the air. This is too important to look for cheap political point scoring.

“If daft could fly, the comments from the Nationals would be a jet.”

Mr Jeffreson also spoke out against Mr McCormack’s handling of the airline during his time as deputy prime minister and minister for transport.

“The National Party leader (Michael McCormack’s leader) said today that the government has spent $130 million of taxpayer money and hasn’t really got much to show for it.

“Under the stewardship of Mr McCormack and Mr Joyce over $60 million was funnelled unconditionally to REX and there is absolutely nothing to show for that. REX is still in the air, and that is money well spent, despite what Mr Littleproud and Mr McCormack may think.”

Mr McCormack criticised Mr Jeffreson’s comments, stating his comments didn’t align with that of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese or the work done to protect regional air travel.

“The Prime Minister said in Question Time on Wednesday (12 February) that I have been discussing and fighting for Rex from the time Rex got into turbulence, and that, of course, was mid-last year,” Mr McCormack said.

“I haven’t changed my view that whatever needs to be done with Rex needs to be done.

“It’s a matter of life and death. I can’t make that point any louder or clearer.

“The Prime Minister quoted me yesterday in the parliament so he understands where I’m coming from. He and I are on the same page as far as I’m concerned. I can’t understand why a local Labor candidate would make those comments, if the Prime Minister, who is the leader of his party, is agreeing with me.”