20 December 2018
The Nationals WA have blasted Mean Mark McGowan for failing to support the Geraldton and Mid-West tourism industry, as the community face a decrease in air services in 2019.
Virgin Australia announced yesterday they would be reducing their flight schedule into Geraldton from 12 return services per week to just seven.
Member for the Agricultural Region Colin de Grussa called out the Labor Government for their inability to secure reliable and affordable air services in and out of Geraldton.
“Geraldton is the gateway to the Mid-West, and reliable, regular and affordable air services are key to realising the region’s tourism potential,” Mr de Grussa said.
“Both the WA State Government and the Federal Government have made significant investments into the Geraldton airport to enhance the region’s tourism potential, yet Mean Mark McGowan has failed to secure Virgin’s continued service to the region.
“The Geraldton and Mid-West communities deserve better.”
The Nationals WA Tourism spokesperson Vince Catania said the incompetence by the McGowan Government to ensure ongoing competitive air services into Geraldton would only drive up the price of flights.
“We know that when competition is reduced, flight prices go up,” Mr Catania said.
“This is a bitter blow to the people of Geraldton and the Mid-West, when airfares are already higher than ever under this Labor Government.
“The McGowan Government promised significant investment into the airport to support the region’s tourism industry, but what good is that if they can’t secure the carriers to use the airport?”
Mr Catania said The Nationals WA have been campaigning for #fairfares, as regional communities face increasingly unaffordable airfares across the State.
“Regional communities aren’t second class citizens, they shouldn’t have to pay exorbitant airfares and the McGowan Government aren’t doing anything to fix the problem.”
