CHEAP FLIGHTS FOR SOCCER FANS, HIGHER FARES FOR REGIONAL WA

The Cook Labor Government has once again shown where its priorities lie, offering discounted flights for east coast soccer fans to attend an $11 million Italian soccer festival in Perth, just days before hiking airfares for regional West Australians by up to 30 per cent.

Late yesterday, Tourism Minister Reece Whitby and Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti – an hour after Parliament had risen for the winter break – announced a partnership with a major airline to provide discounted fares from eastern states capital cities for interstate visitors travelling to Perth for the football event.

The announcement comes less than two weeks before increases to the Regional Airfare Zone Cap Scheme take effect on 1 July, making flights more expensive for regional West Australians travelling to Perth.

Leader of the Opposition Basil Zempilas said the Government had its priorities completely wrong.

“We’ve got no problem with major events coming to Perth. What West Australians want to know is how much they’re costing and why taxpayers are now subsidising flights for interstate soccer fans while local families are paying more to travel around their own state,” Mr Zempilas said.

“A family from Exmouth told me they’re paying around $1,000 to get their child home for the school holidays, yet interstate visitors can access discounted flights to attend a soccer match.

“If this event is worth the $11 million taxpayers are already contributing, it shouldn’t need another taxpayer-funded sweetener to attract people through the gate.

“The fact the Government now feels the need to subsidise interstate airfares suggests they’re more interested in propping up visitor numbers than delivering value for West Australians.

“West Australians are paying more to travel while interstate visitors are paying less to attend a soccer match. These are the Cook Government’s priorities – and they don’t pass the pub test.”Shadow Transport Minister Steve Martin said the contrast could not be clearer.

“Travelling to Perth isn’t an optional luxury for many regional West Australians. It’s how people access specialist medical treatment, government services, education and family support,” he said.

“Minister Saffioti promised to keep regional airfares affordable and repeatedly accused the Opposition of wanting to scrap the Regional Airfare Zone Cap.

“Instead, she has increased fares by up to 30 per cent while handing discounted flights to interstate visitors.“It will now be cheaper for someone from the east coast to fly to Perth for the soccer, than a Geraldton resident to fly to Perth for a medical appointment.

That tells you everything you need to know about this Government’s priorities.”Under the changes to the Regional Airfare Zone Cap scheme taking effect on 1 July, the current $199 one-way Zone 1 fare will increase to $265 on designated high-demand flights, while the $299 one-way Zone 2 fare will increase to $385.

The Government’s examples of “high-demand” periods include school holidays and last-minute travel, times when regional West Australians are most likely to need affordable flights.