18/9/01
Local Government and Regional Development Minister Tom Stephens today called on the management of Qantas to adequately meet the special needs of the resource sector.
Mr Stephens said the State Government was continuing to work with Qantas and key players to ensure an adequate replacement service was delivered to regional Western Australia following the sudden demise of Ansett air services.
"In response to this, the State Government moved quickly to establish a Ministerial Council on Aviation Policy to assist in helping to prepare and implement policies that ensure sustainable air services in WA," the Minister said.
"I am very much supportive of Qantas's contingency plans to meet the needs of the air travel community around the State and I commend them for that.
"While all regions and industry sectors need to have their air service requirements fulfilled sooner rather than later, there appear to be a number of imperatives which must be tackled rapidly.
"The air travel requirements of the resource sector need to be integrated with the operations of a regional RPT service, rather than being hived off into off-line air charter operations. These operations do not help augment an aviation service of wider use to regional and local communities.
"With the on-going provision of RPT air services for Argyle, Woodside, HI, Western Metals, BHP and other smaller operations in the Goldfields, as opposed to charter operations - it should be possible to rebuild a State-wide RPT air service.
"This will have a positive effect on potentially increased benefit flowing to regional WA as opposed to the existing negative impact of 'fly-in/fly-out' operations.
"With the impending school holidays, the needs of the many country school children returning home will have to be catered for as a priority.
"The forthcoming holidays and the rise in the number of holiday makers who intended travelling to the regions will also need to be considered to ensure the tourism industry does not feel more pain than it currently has so far.
"This will provide some security for tourism operators around the State."
The Minister has asked his Ministerial colleagues in Transport and Health to make available senior departmental officers as points of contact between Qantas and patients and others in urgent need of air travel options to ensure that whatever can be done is being done.
Mr Stephens also urged Qantas to acquire the local expertise of Ansett-Skywest personnel to capitalise on their knowledge and skills to assist Qantas in expanding into a comprehensive regional air service throughout WA for the long term.
"I commend the management of Qantas on their professionalism and compassion to move quickly to show all Western Australians the real spirit of Australia," he said.
Media contact: Julie Cole 9213 6500
