Minister offers mediation services in Malaysian aviation trade dispute

23/9/95

Transport Minister Eric Charlton today offered his services as mediator in the Malaysian aviation trade dispute.

The Minister said he noted with concern the collapse of the bilateral air service talks between the Federal Government and the Malaysian Government.

"I have written to Federal Transport Minister Laurie Brereton expressing my feelings and extending my services in the capacity as go-between," Mr Charlton said.

"The Malaysian Government is seeking to expand its airline services into major capital cities in Australia and claims the Federal Government is denying that access in order to protect Qantas.

"However, Western Australia has clear aviation directions which include the development of further international air services into this State."

Mr Charlton said Perth was a major route for Malaysian Airlines (MAS) with five scheduled flights per week and any prospect of increasing that frequency was something that must be encouraged.

It was essential that the WA Government pursue every opportunity presented to expand passenger and air cargo services to and from WA. 

"The Government is proud to stand by its record of achievement of encouraging WA producers to export into South East Asia using Singapore Airlines' weekly jumbo jet perishable cargo airlift," Mr Charlton said.

In the last few days, SIA has announced the trialing of an additional freighter service into Perth for the next three weeks using a dedicated DC8 aircraft.

Mr Charlton said it was important to WA that the trade dispute with Malaysia be resolved as quickly as possible and he would offer to do everything he could to ensure this happened.

"Deputy Premier and Commerce and Trade Minister, Hendy Cowan, will be visiting Malaysia next week and I have asked him to convey my mediation offer to the appropriate officials there," he said.

Media contact:  Ian Hasleby 321 7333 or 222 9595